Third ex-teacher charged in sex abuse inquiry

Detectives investigating allegations of child sexual abuse at a Southampton school have charged a third man.

Paul Davis, 48, of Manor Road North, Southampton, was charged with three counts of sexual activity with a girl under 16. He is due to appear before Portsmouth Magistrates Court on 8 April.

Mr Davis used to be a teacher at St Anne's Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Southampton.

Police said the charges related to offences alleged to have taken place against one teenage girl in 2021 and 2022.

In December, the former headteacher of the school, James Rouse, 48, of Lowford Hill Close in Southampton, was charged with sexual activity with a child. He pleaded not guilty on 30 January.

On 28 January, former teacher Edward Waller, 65, of Winter Road, Southsea, was charged with rape, abuse of a position of trust and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, relating to alleged incidents between 2004 and 2006. He also pleaded not guilty.

Mr Rouse's trial is due to start on 3 November, whilst Mr Waller's is scheduled to begin on 17 November.

Hampshire Police said there was one other former teacher under investigation as part of the inquiry.

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