A CHILD abusing referee who was once a "pillar of the community" is set to be sentenced for a string of vile sex crimes.

Disgraced Peter Fisher,62 and of Burghfield Common, Reading, is set to appear before a crown court judge.

Fisher admitted a string of child sex crimes, including indecent assault on a schoolboy under the age of 14.

He showed little emotion in the dock at Maidenhead Magistrates' Court on Thursday as he also admitted to charges of gross indecency, inciting gross indecency and another count of indecent assault on a schoolboy.

A date is yet to be decided for his sentencing but Fisher, of Sun Gardens, Burghfield Common, will next appear at Reading Crown Court.

He has been released on unconditional bail in the meantime.

Speaking before Thursday's hearing, an acquaintance told the Chronicle: “He was a pillar of the community for quite some years.

"Back in the 90s and early 00s he would always be fundraising for children's charities."