A FORMER primary school deputy headteacher has been charged with sexually assaulting 13 former pupils.

Grahame Brennand, 69, is alleged to have committed the string of sexual offences while working as a teacher and deputy head at St John’s Church of England Primary School in Baxenden.

Brennand is accused of 24 counts of indecent assault against 13 girls who were all aged 10 at the time.

Police said the allegations span from 1974 and 1988.

Brennand, of Calder Avenue in Preston, left the school in Church Avenue in 1989.

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Current head teacher Christina Regan confirmed no staff members, who worked with Brennand at the time the offences are alleged to have taken place, still remain at the school.

Mrs Regan said: "These are shocking allegations which must be distressing for everyone affected.

"I can't comment further as this matter is subject to the legal process, but also because nobody at the school now was around in 1988 when the last of these alleged offences occurred."

A police spokesman said: "A former deputy head teacher was yesterday (Monday, March 20th) charged with a string of sexual offences against female pupils.

"Grahame Brennand, 69, of Calder Avenue, Preston, is accused of 24 counts of indecent assault against 13 former female pupils at St John’s Primary School in Baxenden.

"The alleged offences were committed between 1974 and 1988 when Mr Brennand was a teacher and then deputy head teacher at the school.

"All the alleged victims were aged 10 at the time."

Brennand is due to appear at Burnley Magistrates Court on April 18 when the case is expected to be transferred to the crown court.

The investigation is being led by Keith Hill from the police’s Operation Fervent Team.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log number 0771 of March 20th.