A FORMER housemaster at a Jewish boarding school has been jailed for a catalogue of sexual abuse against pupils.

Trevor Bolton denied 25 allegations of abuse against schoolboys while he was a French teacher at Carmel College in Wallingford between 1968 and 1988.

But a jury of seven women and five men found him guilty of all charges and the 78-year-old was caged for 19 years today.

Oxford Crown Court heard that he would invite select groups of boys up to his flat to watch TV and smoke, then abused them – one while allegedly watching the football programme Match of the Day.

One man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury that he first became close with Bolton because he was feeling homesick and started visiting his flat.

However, he said that quickly developed into him getting into Bolton’s bed when they were both naked.

Judge Ian Pringle said that Bolton, now of Kestrel Way, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, had abused his position of trust at the school, which closed in 1997.

Det Con Trish Coyne of Oxfordshire Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: “The length of these sentences reflect the severity of Bolton’s crimes.

“While the offences took place some time ago, and despite the fact that Bolton’s eight victims are successful individuals, every single one of them has admitted the offences have had an impact on them well into their adult lives.

“I would like to thank their bravery and patience. They have waited a long time to see justice be done.

“I would like to say to both victims and perpetrators that it does not matter how long ago these offences took place, we will investigate them and bring offenders to justice.”

Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "As a housemaster, Trevor Bolton lived in a flat above the boys’ dormitories.

"He abused his position of trust and took advantage of his status to systematically prey on vulnerable or homesick young boys by inviting them to his flat to watch TV and smoke.

"He then abused them for his own sexual gratification.

"It is only due to the great courage of the victims that the despicable behaviour of this man has been exposed.

"I would like to pay tribute to them for their strength and tenacity in coming forward."

He added: "The conviction serves as an important message to people who have been the victim of such crimes or those that know such crimes are being committed, that they should come forward and that time is no barrier to justice."