Credit: This story was first seen on the London Evening Standard
A London private school is at the centre of sex abuse claims after a member of staff was questioned by police for the second time in less than two months, the London Evening Standard reports.
The Standard revealed in April how the man was arrested over alleged voyeurism and possession of indecent images of children. But it has now emerged that the man, from Hall School Wimbledon, was interviewed under caution over an alleged indecent assault. He is under investigation for all the allegations by detectives from Scotland Yard’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.
The police action came after education watchdog Ofsted raised concerns about the potential use of personal mobile phones to take pictures of pupils at the school. The Ofsted report, which followed a snap inspection, was published on March 15. Six days later the Yard launched its investigation.
A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed to the Standard that a man was arrested on Tuesday, April 4, on suspicion of voyeurism and possessing indecent images of children. The Yard said the man was subsequently interviewed under caution in late May in connection with an alleged indecent assault and he remains under investigation.
Police declined to reveal whether it meant there was more than one alleged victim and said it was still investigating the exact location of the alleged incidents. It is understood claims had first been made to the Department for Education.
Hall School’s head and founder, Timothy Hobbs, has told parents the allegations were “malicious” and “with no foundation” and “do not arise from any concern raised by either a pupil or parent, past or present”.
The school, which has a junior wing in Putney Vale, declined to comment.