A FORMER grammar school teacher has appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a girl under 18 and possessing child abuse images.

Colin Bell, 44, who taught at Westcliff High School for Girls, was read a total of seven charges when he appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Bell, formerly of Rebels Lane, Great Wakering, but now living at an address in Ruislip, is alleged to have carried out the assaults between January 1, 2013, and April 24, 2013.

The court heard the alleged offences took place in Westcliff and involved victims who were over 16 years old.

Bell also faces two charges of making indecent images of children relating to material downloaded from the internet and one charge of possessing extreme pornographic images.

The court heard one set of images was allegedly downloaded between February 2005 and March 2012.

Another set of about 120 images was allegedly downloaded between March 2007 and March 2012.

The extreme images charge relates to a period between March 2007 and March 2012.

Bell left the school after his arrest in August 2015.

During the hearing, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He did not enter a plea to any of the charges, although his defence counsel indicated he intends to deny the accusations.

Michael Rollason, prosecuting, said: “Mr Bell was a teacher at the time of these allegations.

“The Crown say these are matters which are not suitable for summary trial given the position that Mr Bell was in and the breach of trust.”

Robert Smale, chairman of the bench, said: “Having considered this matter the court agrees that this is not suitable for this court and the matters need to go to the crown court.”

Bell will appear at Basildon Crown Court on August 26.