Retired teacher convicted of serious sexual assaults against 11 girls during the 1970s.

Retired Teacher Jailed for Sexual Assaults Against 11 Girls

A retired teacher has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for serious sexual assaults against 11 girls during the 1970s.

Timothy Bleach, 76, attacked girls aged between eight and 11 while he worked at Weyford Junior School in Bordon, Hampshire, between 1973 and 1980.

Judge Roger Hetherington, passing sentence, stated that Bleach's victims suffered "real psychological damage".

Bleach was convicted of 56 offences, including rapes, indecent assaults, and acts of gross indecency. He raped one girl on no fewer than 10 occasions and another at least three times.

The first complaint against Bleach was received by Hampshire Police in 2014 from a woman who had watched a BBC report on the force's work on historical sex crimes.

During a five-week trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, the jury heard that Bleach attacked pupils in a school store cupboard, in classrooms, and at some of their homes.

Judge Hetherington said Bleach took advantage of the girls' "innocence and trusting nature", assaulting them in front of other pupils and on occasions at his home where he gave piano lessons.

"You used the cover of teaching, and the respect accorded to that profession, to pursue your predilection," the judge added.

The court heard that Bleach continued to offend after moving to Africa, raping a schoolgirl in Zambia.

Hampshire Police stated that his victims, now women in their 40s, showed "remarkable bravery and courage" in coming forward to give evidence.

Det Insp Jim Park said: "Mr Bleach - a teacher, and as such a man entrusted to safeguard children - abused his position of trust over and over again by committing these awful acts."

Bleach showed little emotion as he was sentenced. He will not be considered for parole until he has served half of his 20-year sentence.