A FORMER housemaster at a Jewish boarding school has today been found guilty of more historic sex crimes against children.

Trevor Bolton denied having committed abuse against schoolboys while he was a French teacher at Carmel College in Wallingford between 1968 and 1988.

Yesterday, a jury of seven women and five men unanimously found him guilty of 21 sexual offences committed against boys while he was at the school.

And this morning they returned guilty verdicts in relation to three serious sexual assaults and one indecent assault by a majority of 11 to 1.

Oxford Crown Court heard that that Bolton, now of Kestrel Way, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, would invite select groups of boys up to his private flat on campus, where he committed a variety of indecent assaults and acts of indecency against children.

The eight victims, all male, were aged under 16 at the time of the offences.

Bolton is due to be sentenced tomorrow afternoon.

Det Sgt Trish Coyne of Oxfordshire Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: “I would like to thank the bravery and patience of the victims in this case. They have waited a long time to see justice be done.

“While the offences took place some time ago, and despite the fact that Bolton’s eight victims are successful individuals, every single one of them has admitted the offences have had an impact on them well into their adult lives.

“He was in a position of trust with these children and he abused that trust in the worst way possible.

“I would like to say to both victims and perpetrators that it does not matter how long ago these offences took place, we will investigate them and bring offenders to justice.”

Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “This case involved sexual activity between a former school housemaster/geography teacher, who is now 78-years-old, and eight schoolboys, who were aged 10 to16 at the time of the offences, which occurred between 1968 and 1988 in Wallingford, Oxford.

“As a housemaster, Trevor Bolton lived in a flat above the boys’ dormitories. He abused his position of trust and took advantage of his status to systematically prey on vulnerable or homesick young boys by inviting them to his flat to watch TV and smoke. He then abused them for his own sexual gratification. It is only due to the great courage of the victims that the despicable behaviour of this man has been exposed. I would like to pay tribute to them for their strength and tenacity in coming forward.

“Bolton denied any sexual wrongdoing or inappropriate conduct, but at Oxford Crown Court, he was found guilty after a three week trial despite his denials.

“The conviction serves as an important message to people who have been the victim of such crimes or those that know such crimes are being committed, that they should come forward and that time is no barrier to justice.

“The CPS will work closely with partners, as we did with Thames Valley Police in this case, to ensure that robust criminal cases are put before the courts.

“The emotional impact, on the victims and their families, of the abhorrent actions of this man is impossible to quantify. I hope that the conviction gives some small comfort to them. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.”