Former Oxfordshire teacher jailed for abusing 10 girls
An ex-Oxfordshire school teacher who sexually assaulted 10 girls over a five-year period has been jailed for four years.
The 52-year-old had admitted 17 counts of assault against girls under 13 and other offences, at Oxford Crown Court.
Detectives said the charges related to a school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, in Oxfordshire.
Oxfordshire County Council described the offences as "despicable acts by a man who abused his position of trust".
The defendant had also admitted charges relating to indecent images of children.
The case came to light when a member of staff at the school was clearing out a cupboard and found 11 DVDs containing indecent pictures of children and pictures of children engaging in sexual acts.
In a statement issued after sentencing, it said: "The county council acted promptly the minute allegations came to light and at all junctures since.
"We have co-operated fully with the police and supported the school and the school community throughout.
Det Ch Insp Andy Bird described the Thames Valley Police investigation as "lengthy and complex".
"I would like to thank all those children who came forward and spoke to the police," he said.
"Their courage and bravery means that we can now protect the wider community and ensure that they receive appropriate support."
Baljit Ubhey, chief crown prosecutor, said: "Not only did he breach the trust of the pupils at the school, their parents and the staff, he also abused his position of authority in order to gain access to his victims
At a hearing last November, the man admitted 17 counts of assault against girls under 13 between 2004 and 2009 by way of intentional sexual touching; possessing five discs containing 241 indecent images of children; 10 counts of taking indecent photographs in 2006 and one count of voyeurism - recording a private act - between September 2004 and July 2005.
The court heard the teacher had already been jailed in 2010 when he pleaded guilty to 25 offences against eight pupils.