A teacher has admitted sexually abusing young boys during school lessons and attempting to rape a pupil.
Kenneth Savage, aged 65, of Barnes venue, Fearnhead, pleaded guilty to 30 counts of child abuse at Chester Crown Court on Monday. The court heard how the paedophile regularly touched, assaulted, and on several occasions attempted to abuse four boys in a campaign that lasted for eight years. It is believed Savage was a teacher at a school in Warrington when the attacks happened between 1972 and 1978.
The defendant would target his young victims - boys aged between eight and 14 - while they were under his direct care on school property, and during lessons. Indecent assaults were carried out in school toilets, in a gym store, during a sex education lesson, in a music room, during PE lessons, and in the school library. The court heard Savage would touch the boys sexually. Savage also abused children in his car, and on a school trip to the Lake District. The defendant pleaded guilty to attempted buggery between 1972 and 1975, the victim aged between nine and 11.
The court heard he attempted a similar attack on the same boy on two other occasions. Wearing a blue suit, white shirt and glasses in court, Savage remained expressionless in court when answering 'guilty' to each count. The court heard Savage has already been prosecuted in 1984, for abusing pupils while working as a teacher. Savage claims he would have told police about other victims at that time, but was stopped from doing so.
Michael Davies, defending, said the defendant gave names of victims to police, but after giving 10 names, 'was told to stop' as the police had enough evidence to convict him. "He says he would have gone on, said Mr Davies. "He made it clear there was more to come." "I have asked the prosecution to check but they don't have the records to either prove, or disprove that. "If the police hadn't said stop he would have confessed to everything, including buggery, in 1984." Jane La Grua, prosecuting, said she could confirm 'some' victims were named by Savage in 1984, but could not confirm if he was stopped from giving further names.
Judge Roger Dutton called for a pre-sentence report before sentencing Savage. The next hearing will take place on November 3 at Chester Crown Court If you or a loved one have been subject to abuse please do not hesitate to contact our specialist child abuse team. We will treat any communications with the strictest of confidence. Individuals may be able to pursue the school in respect of a civil claim for compensation.
