A WORCESTER man, charged with sex offences allegedly committed more than 20 years ago, may have his trial transferred to Bristol.

Geoffrey Allen is a former teacher at the Sedbury Park School for boys in Gloucester. The school closed down in 1986.

A second teacher from the school has also been charged with sex offences against boys.

Judge Gabriel Hutton was told about the latest arrest while reviewing the progress of the case against 63-year-old Allen, of Barbourne Terrace at Gloucester Crown Court.

Allen, who was not in court and is free on bail, has denied eight charges of indecently assaulting boys, two charges of buggery and one of attempted buggery.

The charges against him and the second master follow a three-year police investigation into the running of the school after complaints from former pupils who are now adults, some more than 40 years old.

Nine of the charges against Allen involve four boys and are alleged to have occurred between April 1977 and July 1983.

Two others involve one boy and are alleged to have taken place between November 1993 and November 1996.

Allen worked at the school, which was run by Gloucestershire County Council, from 1977 to 1984.

Guy Boney QC, prosecuting, told the court: "Another former master at the school was charged on Monday with two offences of indecent assault on former pupils, one of whom is involved in this case."

He went on to tell the judge that the prosecution planned to apply for the case to be transferred to Bristol Crown Court.

"One of the witnesses, although now an adult, is very vulnerable," he said.

"Facilities in Bristol, which is a modern building, would enable him to be protected."