A FORMER headteacher has been found guilty of 15 sexual offences against boys as young as 10.

A jury yesterday found David Tuohy, of Whitehouse Road, South Oxford, guilty of 15 separate charges of indecent assault.

The court  heard he assaulted the boys in the 1970s during his time as head at New Eccles Hall School, in Quidenham, Norfolk.

All of the charges are in connection to five boys who were under 13 between September 1972 and March 1983.

Tuohy, 83, denied 18 counts of indecent assault and four of a a serious sexual offence.
The jury took five and a half hours to return its verdict.

Det Const Faith Morris, of Norfolk Constabulary, said: "Tuohy used a position of absolute trust to abuse his victims and commit a string of offences.

"The fact Tuohy pleaded not guilty to all counts meant his victims were forced to relive the traumatic events which occurred all those years ago.”

Tuohy was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault against one boy, three counts of indecent assault against a second boy, one count against a third, two counts against a fourth and two against a fifth.

He was found not guilty of seven counts including four serious sexual assaults and three indecent assaults against one of the boys.

Norwich Crown Court heard that following publicity of the case a further three or four possible victims have come forward.

Det Con Morris said the first victim came forward in 2013, adding: "Not only was it incredibly brave for him to come forward and speak to the police but such courage led to further victims coming forward resulting in further charges against Tuohy."

Tuohy has been released on conditional bail and will appear at Norwich Crown Court on Friday, March 13 for sentencing.

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