A 50-YEAR-old teacher has been charged with 23 sexual offences against children.

Suffolk police have charged Stephen Benson, of Pearsons Way, Copdock, with two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual assault, nine counts of rape and ten counts of indecent assault.

The charges relate to incidents against three female victims who were aged under 18 at the time of the offences, which happened between 1989 and 2010.

Benson will appear before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 11.

He has been a PE teacher at Copleston High School for more than 20 years.

Today, Shaun Common, principal of Copleston High School said: “As a school we take the safety of our students extremely seriously. As soon as we were alerted to these alleged offences by Suffolk police, Mr Benson was suspended with immediate effect. The charges do not relate to any current pupil at Copleston High School.

“We have rigorous safeguarding procedures in place and these have been followed in relation to this case. We have written to all parents to alert them of the issue and stand ready to support students, parents and staff as required.”