A former biology teacher from north Bristol, Graham Digby-Rogers, has been jailed for six years and four months after pleading guilty to indecently assaulting three young girls.

The 86-year-old, who worked at the school decades ago, admitted to kissing and groping the girls during secret lunchtime meetings. The offenses were alleged in February 2023, and Digby-Rogers, of Stokefield Close in Thornbury, pleaded guilty to the charges.

Judge Euan Ambrose, sentencing Digby-Rogers, acknowledged the significant impact his actions would have had on the victims. He also recognized that a prison sentence would be more difficult for an older man.

The court heard how Digby-Rogers would sit one girl on a desk, stroke her hand, and kiss her on the mouth. Her friend would often join them in the office during lunchtime.

Digby-Rogers also touched one of the girl's genitals, which she found "disgusting," and rubbed his private parts against hers. He sexually abused a third girl, rubbing himself against her and committing a sex act on her thigh.

The abuse left the youngest victim frightened, the court heard. Digby-Rogers has been placed on the sex offender's register indefinitely and will be released halfway through his prison sentence.