A FORMER housemaster at a Worcestershire boarding school has denied 29 historic sexual offences involving indecent assaults on pupils.

Ex-teacher Paul Stevens was resident at Abberley Hall School near Worcester between the early 1980s and early 1990s when the the alleged offences are said to have taken place. Dressed in a grey suit, the defendant appeared at Worcester Crown Court yesterday for his trial.

The 60-year-old was formally arraigned by the court clerk, denying all 29 counts - 20 indecent assaults and nine counts of indecency with a child. The indictment involves three complainants.

The jury is expected to hear evidence from complainants, including via pre-recorded video interviews, from parents and staff and former staff at the school. The indictment runs between January 1, 1983 and March 22, 1991.

Details of the offences were also read out to the jury which include alleged acts of gross indecency with underage boys, one of which was said to have taken place in a bath, kissing, stroking, biting and touching. Some individual counts on the indictment involved more than one alleged sexual offence against the same victim. The first complainant was under 14 when the alleged abuse began, the second under 16 years and the third under 16.

The alleged victims in the case are all now adults and cannot be identified for legal reasons. The case was prosecuted by Fiona Elder. Stevens was represented by Jason Aris. The judge who will hear the case is Andrew Lockhart QC. A jury of eight men and four women was sworn.

The trial is expected to last until May 24 and will be opened by the prosecution at 11am today.