THE headteacher of a North-East primary school is to appear in court charged with offences against children.

Richard Whitfield, the 54- year-old headteacher of Toft Hill Primary, near Bishop Auckland, will face 19 allegations of indecent assault when he appears before south Durham magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, on October 29.

The Northern Echo understands that none of the charges relate to any pupils at the school and are connected to incidents which are alleged to have occurred some years ago.

A spokesman for Durham Police said yesterday: “A 54- year-old man has been charged with 19 historic offences of indecent assault against children and is due to appear before Newton Aycliffe magistrates on October 29.”

Mr Whitfield, who lives in Low Etherley and is married and has a teenage son, has been suspended from his job since the end of the summer term.

His wife, Sheila, has continued to work as the school secretary.

He has been headteacher for about 14 years and is popular with parents, who described him as a “brilliant headteacher” yesterday.

His employers, Durham County Council, said last night: “We can confirm that a headteacher at a County Durham primary school has been suspended since July while a criminal investigation has been carried out.

“The investigation at this stage relates to incidents which are alleged to have happened several years ago and which do not involve any pupils, past or present.

“As the investigation is ongoing, the headteacher remains suspended from his post and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

The council warned parents by letter yesterday afternoon that The Northern Echo would be carrying a story today and will have a representative at the school on Monday to talk to anyone with questions or worries.

Parent Martin Clark said: “This is a massive shock and parents are bound to have concerns.

“My concern is how it is going to affect the school in the short and long term.

“Toft Hill is an excellent school with excellent staff.

“I have known Mr Whitfield for nine years and I regard him as a first-rate head. The school has become more popular since he arrived.”

The mother of one of the pupils, who did not want to be named, said: “We are all absolutely stunned. There have been a lot of rumours, but people didn’t know why Mr Whitfield had been away from the school for so long.

“He is brilliant. You couldn’t ask for a better headteacher.

The children and parents all think the world of him.”