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Oakwood School inquiry: Four due in court over abuse Oakwood School inquiry: Five in court over abuse
(1 day later)
Four men including a former headmaster are due in court after being summonsed over allegations of abuse at a school. Five men have appeared in court, charged over allegations of abuse at a Suffolk boarding school.
Stephen Player, 59, formerly of Spratton Hall, Northampton, faces charges relating to Oakwood School in Stowmarket, Suffolk. They appeared before Bury St Edmunds magistrates following an inquiry into allegations of physical and sexual abuse at Oakwood School, Stowmarket. which closed in 2000.
Michael Watts, 57, of Southampton, Graham Hallett, 65, of Lancaster, and Gerald West, 69, of Gislingham, near Eye, have also been summonsed. The five men, from Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Southampton and Lancaster, did not enter formal pleas.
All are due before Bury St Edmunds magistrates later. They are due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on 17 October.
Oakwood opened in 1974 and was a state school for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
The school, which was run by Suffolk County Council, closed temporarily in December 1999 and shut for good the following year.
Former head teacher
Police have been investigating historical physical and sexual abuse of children at the school over a 21-year period in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.Police have been investigating historical physical and sexual abuse of children at the school over a 21-year period in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Mr Watts, of Sellwood Road, Southampton, and Mr Player are both accused of six counts of assault, ill-treat or neglect to a boy under 16. Eric de Smith, 74, of Danes Close in Stowmarket is charged with 16 alleged offences of indecent assault or gross indecency against boys.
Mr Hallett, of Aldcliffe Road, is accused of one count of the same charge. The other four men are charged with the assault, ill-treatment or neglect of boys.
Mr West, of Martins Meadow, faces 10 counts of assault, ill-treat or neglect to a boy under 16. Stephen Player, 59, formerly a head teacher at Spratton Hall school in Northamptonshire, and Michael Watts, 57, of Sellwood Road, Southampton both face six counts.
Oakwood opened in 1974 and was a school for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Gerald West, 69, of Martins Meadow, Gislingham in Suffolk, faces 10 counts.
The school closed temporarily in December 1999 after county council concerns and it shut permanently in 2000. Graham Hallett, 65, of Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster, is charged with one count.