A Quebec judge has convicted former national ski coach Bertrand Charest of sexual assault and breach of trust involving some of his teenaged athletes.

Charest’s was convicted Thursday of 37 of the 57 crimes he was charged with, which involved 12 victims who were between the ages of 12 and 19.

Judge Sylvain Lepine delivered his verdict in Saint-Jerome, north of Montreal, finding Charest guilty of the crimes. He called it an “unequivocal abuse of power,” adding that “it’s impossible to have a consensual relationship with a minor when you’re in a position of authority over them.”

Lepine said that he could not convict on three of the case because there was insufficient evidence, or because the alleged crimes took place outside Canada.

That said, he said the proof is overwhelming, as each complainant testified with poise and conviction, remembering precise details 20 years later, and no cross-examination could call their credibility into question.

Charest abused his teenaged victims in Quebec, B.C., and in other countries, while he was a coach with Alpine Canada from 1996 until 1998 -- and for several years earlier.

In his judgment, Lepine said Charest played with the emotions of his victims.

“The accused acted like a true predator, carefully weaving his web to attract young women and teenagers to have total control over them,” said Lepine. “His search for sexual pleasure had no limit.”

Twelve victims testified that Charest was a controlling and manipulative man who told them he loved them. Several said they felt they loved Charest, but later realized he was just using them.

During the trial, witnesses testified how at one point, Charest convinced one 15-year-old girl to have an abortion and brought her to his father, a doctor, to get a prescription for an abortion pill.

Many of the victims were in the courtroom Thursday to hear the verdict.

Charest did not testify during the trial, but never denied having sex with some of the girls and believed it be consensual.

Charest has been in jail since August 2015. His pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place on August 23.

He could be sentenced to a maximum of 14 years in prison.