Former teacher from Sutton admits indecency with a child (From Your Local Guardian)

Former teacher admits indecency with a child

8:00am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sutton

A former teacher facing 16 sexual offences against schoolchildren, including rape and buggery, has admitted a charge of indecency with a child.

Bernard Haunch, 77, of Marlins Close, Sutton, had entered guilty pleas to a charge of indecent assault against a nine-year-old boy between July 1981 and July 1982, and an offence of gross indecency against the same boy between July 1981 and July 1983, at a hearing at Brighton Magistrates' Court in November.

But the latter charge was dismissed by Judge David Rennie at Hove Crown Court on Monday and Haunch instead pleaded guilty to a charge of indecency with a child between July 2 1981 and September 1 1983.

Mr Haunch, 77, who taught at the now-defunct Fonthill Preparatory School in Coombe Hill Road, East Grinstead, denies 16 sexual offences against schoolchildren, including rape and buggery.

All the offences are alleged to have taken place between June 1975 and September 1983.

Mr Haunch was released on conditional bail and the trial was adjourned until July 9.