A school teacher sexually abused three pupils to whom he taught music, a court heard.

Walter Beal, 62, of Chatwood Road, Bewbush, Crawley, is charged with 12 sexual offences against the boys between 1974 and 1978.

A jury at Lewes Crown Court heard that the first assault took place when Beal taught at Stoke Brunswick private boarding school in East Grinstead, which two of the boys attended.

Eight of the charges, which include indecent assault and indecency with a child, are against a boy who was aged between ten and 13 at the time.

Diane Cham, prosecuting, said: "The boy fell in love with his teacher, call it a schoolboy crush if you like, and Beal would take him flying at Biggin Hill, where he kept a Cessna."

Ms Chan told the court that Beal and the boy would perform sexual acts on one another and when the boy's mother became friendly with the teacher, she even gave permission for them to go on a two-week holiday together to a relative's home in Stratford-Upon-Avon. It is alleged more abuse took place here when the boy shared a bed with his teacher.

The second boy, who was between 13 and 14, had music lessons with Beal and was also given help with Bible readings for assembly.

The prosecution allege Beal would perform sex acts on the boy during these lessons in his private office.

Ms Cham said: "The boy knew something was wrong but didn't know what to do about it. He finally reported it to the police in 1997."

The first boy followed Beal to a school in Hampshire in 1977 where the abuse continued. It was at this school that the third boy was abused between the ages of 14 and 15.

The boys had piano and organ lessons with Beal, which meant he missed tea with the other pupils and would go to Beal's private rooms for tea and cakes.

The third boy also approached the police in 1997 unaware of any similar allegations having been made.

Beal denies all the charges and the case continues.

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