Sex assault headteacher jailed

Weekes was full of 'shame and remorse'

A retired primary school headmaster has been jailed for acts of indecency with children, going back more than 20 years.

Nigel Weekes, 62, from Ashford in Kent, had pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecency with a child and one indecent assault.

Maidstone Crown Court heard they happened between 1979 and 1987 at St Mary's primary school in Ashford, where he was headmaster, and also at his home.

Prosecuting, Isobel Ascherson told the jury the headteacher would use the guise of games to commit the indecent acts on the girls, all aged under 10.

She also told the court he would perform sex acts on himself in front of the girls when they came to his house.

No excuses

Sentencing him, Judge Antony Balston told Weekes: "The offences you committed were in flagrant breach of trust.

"There cannot be anything much worse than a schoolmaster who abused the children in his care."

Judge Balston sentenced Weekes to three years imprisonment for the indecent assaults and 18 months for each of the other counts, to run concurrently.

The judge also ordered he be registered as a sex offender and prohibited from working with children again.

Defending Mark Dacey said: "Words cannot convey the shame and remorse that Mr Weekes feels.

"And, in keeping with his previous exemplary lifestyle, he has not sought to offer excuses. He only offers apologies."