A 62 year-old Vale man charged with 17 offences of cruelty to children at a residential care home for boys made his first appearance at Gloucester Magistrates.

Michael Quinlan is charged with cruelty to pupils of The Poplars, a former independent school and care home at Broadoak, nr Newnham on Severn, Glos, over a 14 year period.

Quinlan, of Legion House, Cheltenham Road, Evesham, faces 17 offences of cruelty, alleged to have taken place at The Poplars from 1969-1983.

The offences are alleged to have been carried out in the privately-run residential care unit for boys aged between 10 and 17 years.

Appearing briefly at Gloucester Magistrates on Tuesday Quinlan was bailed until July 23 when he will reappear at court with a co-defendant.