A man accused of a string of historic abuse charges has been found not guilty today.

Simon Warr, 61, of Hounslow, was accused of three offences of committing an act of gross indecency towards a child between 1980-83 and four offences of indecent assault between 1981-93.

Warr, who was a teacher at the former St George’s School, in Great Finborough and at the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook, denied the charges and today was found not guilty on all counts.

During his trial at Ipswich Crown Court, the jury heard more than a dozen character witnesses which paid tribute to Warr’s qualities as a teacher and said they had never seen him act inappropriately towards any pupils.

At times during the testimonies, which were either given in person or read to the court, Warr appeared emotional.

The court has heard the case arose out of another investigation involving Derek Slade, a former headmaster at St George’s, who was convicted in 2010 of 32 offences of physical and sexual assaults on pupils between 1978-1983.

The court has heard that Warr, a former columnist for the Star’s sister paper the EADT, had achieved some minor celebrity in the local and national press and had made TV and radio appearances.

More to follow.