A HEADTEACHER at a Weymouth school has been charged with sex offences against a former pupil.

David Akers, head at Budmouth College, will appear at Weymouth Magistrates Court on Monday charged with historic offences relating to a teenage girl.

Mr Akers, 60, of Weymouth, was arrested at his home address on December 15, 2015.

The allegation is one of non-recent indecent assault on a former pupil of Budmouth School, now known as Budmouth College, in Weymouth, where he works. The allegations date back to 1995 and do not relate to any current pupils.

He is charged with two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16.

Detective Inspector Neil Phillips, of Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Following a thorough and detailed investigation, we have consulted with the Crown Prosecution Service who have authorised the charge.

“Specially trained Family Liaison Officers have updated the alleged victim and her family with this development and are being supported.

“If any staff, parents or students would like to speak to someone or have any concerns they can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

“It is also important to stress – as is typical in such circumstances – that it would be entirely inappropriate for Dorset Police to comment further ahead of a trial. It is vital that the justice system is allowed to follow its course.

“I would also like to remind the public that certain legal constraints apply as a person has been charged in connection with this investigation. We would like to remind everyone that a victim of a sexual offence has lifetime anonymity. Therefore Dorset Police would hate for anyone to accidentally impact on the investigation or court case by posting well-intended but inappropriate comments on social media.”

Mr Akers took over as headteacher at Budmouth in 2002.

He had taught at the school for seven years previously- serving as vice-principal- before leaving in 1996 to take up a job as a headteacher in Somerset.

An acting principal, Cheryl Evans, has been appointed in the interim.