by CAROLINE COOLEY A former caretaker of a Wealdstone school has appeared in court charged with committing acts of indecent assault, rape and other offences against pupils more than 15 years ago.

Carl John Hofman, of Lower Road, Nash Mills, Hemel Hempstead, was remanded on bail by Harrow magistrates on Thursday charged with 19 counts, most of which are alleged to have occurred at Whitefriars First and Middle School, Whitefriars Avenue, in the 1970s.

The 62-year-old faces 12 charges of indecent assault, two of buggery, one of rape and four of gross indecency on three young girls.

He was caretaker at the school between 1964 and 1994 where his victims were pupils.

The attacks all took place at the school and in Harrow between 1973 and 1983.

They are alleged to have occurred in the school gym, the canteen block, the medical room and the caretaker's house.

The three women involved in the case are now in their mid to late thirties.

Hofman is due to appear at Harrow Magistrates Court again on September 10.

o Welsh police have confirmed that a teacher at St Gregory's Roman Catholic High School, Donnington Road, Kenton, is due to appear in court in North Wales charged with indecently assaulting a male under 16.

The 47-year-old from Harrow was arrested on July 25 and bailed to appear in court on September 7.

It is alleged the teacher indecently assaulted two boys from Brent in Wales.

John Simpson, director of education for Brent Council, said the teacher was not an employee of the council because the school is grant maintained, but that his department would be working closely with school and police on the matter.

"Unfortunately the headteacher, Martin Early, is on holiday and we cannot contact him," he said. "But I am sure he will want to reassure parents when he gets back. We have to get involved because the two children involved are from Brent."

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