A former Radlett teacher has been jailed for four years after indecently assaulting his pupils 30 years ago.

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During the 1970s and 80s, Christopher Hart targeted boys aged eight to 13 by finding ways to be alone with them or engaging in group play fights.

The now 79-year-old worked as a science and computer studies teacher at Edge Grove School in Radlett at the time, and was described as “scary” by some of his victims.

Most of the offences took place on school grounds and many near the pool, where Hart supervised swimming.

However, some of the crimes happened at his cottage in Devon, where he took boys for end-of-year trips.

The crimes came to light some 30 years later, in 2017, after a victim reported his ordeal to the school’s headteacher - who in turn advised him to report it to the police.

Officers were then able to investigate and approach other victims to testify against Hart.

He was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault against five boys who were all under 14, and not guilty on one count of indecent assault, at Harrow Crown Court on April 10.

Hart was sentenced to four years in jail, and to be indefinitely included on the sex offenders register, on the same day.

Senior crown prosecutor Jason Wolfe said: “Christopher Hart took advantage of his position as a teacher to commit these awful crimes which have had life-long consequences for his victims.

“We recognise how difficult it has been for the victims to give evidence in this case - for some of them this was the first time they have spoken about what happened to them.

“We hope they feel a sense of justice now Hart has been convicted.”

Mr Wolfe is part of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit in CPS Thames and Chiltern.

Anyone who has information about criminal activity, historic or otherwise, should contact police on 101.

There are various charities available for anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse, including Victim Support on 0808 1689 111.