THE headteacher of the school at the centre of a paedophile scandal has responded to the sentencing of a former teacher for molesting teenage boys.

Peter Clulow, a former music teacher Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, was sentenced to 27 months after admitting several charges of sexual assaults on boys and possessing pornographic images.

The assaults took place on his boat outside of the school.

Headteacher Peter Hamilton has issued the following statement: “Peter Clulow was a teacher at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School who left the school’s employment in 1985.

"On Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at St Albans Crown Court he was given a custodial sentence having admitted charges of sexual assaults on boys and possessing pornographic images.

"One of the complainants was a pupil at the school in the 1980s when Mr Clulow was employed here. He was not assaulted on school grounds nor while on an approved school expedition and this case was not brought to the school’s attention at the time. However, when a short while later concerns were raised, an internal investigation followed and Mr Clulow’s employment at the school ended immediately thereafter. The relevant authorities were promptly advised of the reasons for his departure.

"This offence took place a long time ago, but that does not diminish its gravity. I wish, on behalf of the school, to express our genuine sympathy to the boy (now an adult) against whom this offence was committed, and indeed to the other victims as well."