A former geography teacher has been jailed after sexually abusing pupils.

Richard Gaines, 74, from Swindon, taught at St Martin’s Preparatory School, Northwood, between 1971 and 1977.

In a previous court hearing, he admitted to seven counts of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14, in relation to six different victims while working at the school.

On Wednesday (November 20) he was sentenced to five years and two months in prison at Isleworth Crown Court and was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Olivia Ball, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Richard Gaines used his position of power to carry out indecent acts against young boys, often in a cupboard, at the school site where children should have been safe. He groomed these boys and abused their trust.

“He offered to teach them ‘sex education’ and showed them pornographic magazines.

“The victims have shown immense courage in coming forward and supporting this prosecution. I hope this conviction provides them with some closure.”