FORMER private school teacher Timothy Snowdon has been jailed for four years for a string of historic sexual assaults against a pupil.

The 60-year-old of Trowbridge Road, Bradford on Avon, took advantage of the boy by encouraging him to take part in after school activities at the prestigious King Edward's School in Bath.

He abused him for four years in the 1990s and his traumatised victim reported the abuse to police in January 2013.

Snowdon, from Bradford on Avon, was jailed for four years at Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault.

Speaking after the hearing, investigating officer Detective Constable Andrew Palmer said: "Timothy Snowdon abused his position of trust and took advantage of this victim after encouraging him to take part in activities after school.

"Snowdon isolated the victim from the other students so he would have numerous opportunities to carry out these crimes.

"This abuse has had a long-lasting impact on the victim with the after-effects continuing into his adult life.

"He was able to give us an articulate and detailed account of Snowdon's actions, which ultimately helped secure justice in this case.

"Snowdon had retired from teaching several years before this investigation began, but the school involved has been extremely supportive of our inquiry from the outset.

"I hope this conviction will send out a clear message that we'll investigate offences no matter who they are committed by, or how long ago they occurred.

"Victims should always feel confident in coming forward to speak to us, secure in the knowledge that they will be believed and supported."

A spokesperson for King Edward's School said: "The school takes its safeguarding and child protection responsibilities very seriously and co-operated fully with the police investigation once this historic allegation came to light.

"We have been appalled to learn of these offences committed and condemn them unreservedly."