Teacher ‘systematically groomed and sexually abused’ children, jury hears

An ex school teacher ‘systematically groomed and sexually abused’ children in his care while working at a former Suffolk School, a jury has heard.

Gerard Singer, 69, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday charged with 28 counts of sexual abuse against nine boys in his care between 1979 and 1982 while working as a language teacher at the now closed St George’s School in Great Finborough which moved from Wicklewood in Norfolk in 1980.

Prosecuting, David Wilson said Singer had befriended the boys, at times giving them gifts of sweets and chocolate before abusing them.

In one incident a boy was invited to woods near the school on the promise of receiving a scientific calculator and was sexually abused.

The prosecution alleged the incidents took place at the school, in Singer’s living quarters, and on school holidays and trips abroad.

Mr Wilson said: “The prosecution case is that Gerard Singer has abused his position of trust as a teacher in the boarding schools by befriending pupils before then engaging in acts of a serious sexual nature.”

The prosecution said one victim, aged 11 at the time, claimed he was given wine to drink which may have been drugged.

He was then told to lie face down and was strapped to a bed with a bath robe before being sexually assaulted.

Another claimed he was given a tablet in the form of a sweet by Singer and another tablet which had a ‘chalky substance to it’ which left him feeling drowsy and disorientated.

He claims he awoke being seriously sexually assaulted by Singer and another man.

The same victim claims on his last day at school Singer told him not to talk about what had happened and gave him £20.

The prosecution said Singer visited one boy’s family home abroad having phoned to say he was on holiday nearby.

Singer visited the ten-year-old, shared a bed with him and later sexually assaulted him.

The following day Singer took the boy and his brother on a trip to Hamburg where they visited the city’s red light district.

They then went to Denmark where they shared a family hotel room where the boy was abused again.

The prosecution said Singer fled the country when he was confronted by allegations of abuse and was extradited from France last year to face the charges.

Singer is charged with nine counts of indecency with a child, 15 counts of indecent assault, one count of attempting to commit a serious sexual offence and three counts of committing a serious sexual offence.

St George’s School is not connected to Finborough School which is located at the same site.

The trial continues.