A FORMER teacher has been jailed for sexually abusing two boys at a Worcestershire boarding school in the 1980s.

David Hutchings had to face one of his victims in court, who recounted how the former deputy head’s abuse had caused a mental breakdown.

Hutchings, 73, of Swan Court, Stratford, had previously admitted four indecent assaults against two pupils at Winterfold House School, in Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster and a further count of indecency against one of the children.

The offences took place in the 1980s, when the school took boarders.

Speaking at Hutchings' sentencing hearing on Thursday, April 27, the first victim said he did not think anyone would believe him.

He said: "It was my word against his and he was well-respected. He was an authority figure of huge stature. I lived in fear of my peers finding out my secret."

He said the guilt had festered over the years, leading to self-loathing.

He started drinking at 15 and is still considered alcohol dependent. He suffered a breakdown in March 2016.

The abuse by Hutchings, whom he described as being 'a surrogate father and mother', led to him becoming 'increasingly emotionally unstable'.

Speaking from the witness box, he said he did not seek retribution or revenge but justice.

Gareth Walters, prosecuting, said Hutchings had been a member of staff at the school between 1961 until 2008, becoming deputy head.

Hutchings was described as a significant figure in the religious life of the school.

The court heard Hutchings climbed into bed with one of the boys and began kissing him on his back and lips. He also took him shopping and gave him a silver crucifix.

During one incident the victim pretended to be asleep, promoting Hutchings to say 'don’t play hard to get’. The victim said the abuse made him feel sick.

“He began kissing him but quickly put his hands down his pyjama bottoms” Mr Walters said.

At a reunion in 1982 he said to the victim ‘friends, right?’

Mr Walters said: “This left him with the impression he was to keep his mouth shut.”

The second victim described the school as ‘harsh’ but said Hutchings was ‘a good deal more lax and benign than most of the other teachers’.

He was abused in the school's dormitory. Hutchings put his hands under the covers and under the boy's pyjama top. At the time the boy had found it comforting.

"With hindsight, it was grooming" said Mr Walters.

Darron Whitehead, defending, read out a letter of apology from Hutchings which said: "I'm deeply sorry and ashamed for these dreadful actions from my past.

"I'm sorry for the harm that has been done to the two young men concerned and for my gross breach of trust."

Mr Whitehead said neither of the complainants had to give evidence because Hutchings had entered an early guilty plea.

Judge Robert Juckes sentenced him to four-and-a-half years in prison and said the offences had shown an 'escalating seriousness'.

He said: "Part of of your punishment is the public humiliation of your exposure in this way."

An NSPCC spokesman said: “By carrying out this appalling abuse, Hutchings betrayed the trust placed in him by pupils and their families.

“His victims’ bravery has helped bring him to justice, and it shows survivors of abuse will be listened to – no matter how many years have passed or who the abuser is."

The NSPCC helpline is 0808 800 5000. Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111.