A 70-year-old maths teacher at a former Suffolk school is facing a “significant” jail term after admitting sexually abusing five boys.

John McKno, of Alby Hill near Aylsham, was due to stand trial at Ipswich Crown Court today on a string of child sex charges but pleaded guilty to nine charges before a jury was empaneled.

The charges date back to 1975 and span a period of 14 years and relate to boys aged 12-15.

Adjourning sentence for a pre-sentence report and medical reports until March 29, Judge David Goodin told McKno who attended court in a wheelchair that he faced a “significant” jail term for the “grave” offences he had admitted.

He said the fact that McKno had pleaded guilty to the charges and had saved his victims from coming to court to give evidence would be taken into consideration when he was sentenced.

Judge Goodin ordered McKno, who is on conditional bail, to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for an indefinite period.

The charges related to the former Kesgrave Hall School in Suffolk, Beam College in Great Torrington, Devon, which has also closed, and St Michael’s College in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire.

McKno admitted four offences of indecent assault on a male under 16, two offences of gross indecency with a child and three offences of buggery.

He denied an offence of attempted buggery and two offences of indecent assault on a male person and these were left on the court file.