As part of the new crime legislation being introduced in the Commons, sports coaches & faith leaders who have sex with under 18’s will now be breaking the law.

The surprisingly new law will bring sports coaches and religious leaders in line with teachers and doctors and follows cases of sexual predators exploiting their influence on young people and making them vulnerable to abuse.

Peter Wanless of the NSPCC, said: “We are delighted that after relentless campaigning, the government has finally listened to our calls and agreed to close this legal loophole.

“This landmark step sends a clear message that children and young people can return to the extracurricular activities they love without being at risk of grooming by the very adults they should look to for support and guidance.”

The government’s plans follow calls from campaigners for laws governing people in “Positions of Trust” to be extended to cover other roles that have responsibility over young people.

Speaking on the new crime bill in its entirety Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said the Bill was giving the “police and courts the powers they need to keep our streets safe, while providing greater opportunities for offenders to turn their lives around and better contribute to society”.