A TEACHER accused of indecently assaulting children has been bound over by a court after no evidence was offered against him.

Timothy Dobson, 43, of Claxton Avenue, Darlington, faced seven charges of assaulting girls under the age of 11.

Teesside Crown Court heard that the allegations amounted to inappropriate touching rather than indecent assaults.

Peter Johnson, prosecuting, said that consultations took place before the decision was taken to offer no evidence on condition that Mr Dobson agreed to be bound over.

Judge John Walford said: "I assume that not only have these matters been carefully considered, and that the appropriate consultations have been gone through."

Two of the incidents were alleged to have taken place between September 1983 and July 1986, and five between September 1995 and February 2001.

Mr Johnson: "We have well in mind the ages of these children and other factors. The position put very simply is that much of the touching is of a very minor nature, inappropriate but whether it crosses the criminal threshold is a matter which need not trouble a jury."

Speaking at his home last night, Mr Dobson, a primary school teacher, spoke of his relief that the case had finally ended.

He said: "It has been 15 months of a nightmare. I just want to thank my family and all my friends who have stood by us. It has been an ordeal.

"We are all so relieved that it is over finally. As a family, we want to be left to pick up the pieces. I just want to try and get on with my life."

At an earlier hearing Mr Dobson had pleaded not guilty to the charges. He agreed to be bound over for 12 months or risk forfeiting £250.

He is still suspended from his school, but a council spokesman confirmed that Mr Dobson's case will be reviewed.