A DISGRACED teacher will spend six months behind bars for sexually abusing his pupils more than 40 times.

Michael Wilde, of Drake Close, Old Hall, touched the genitals of three boys under his tutelage at Wade Deacon High School in Farnworth, Widnes, in the 1970s.

More than 40 years later the married man with three children will spend six months behind bars for his sickening crimes, having previously been jailed for touching two other pupils at the school where he taught chemistry and games.

Chester Crown Court heard today, Friday, that the 67-year-old sexually abused one boy an estimated 40 times during cricket practices and touched a 12-year-old pupil’s genitals during a chemistry class while a third victim was exploited three times during gym lessons.

The victim who was abused dozens of times at the hands of Wilde told police that he still has feelings of pain and shame because of the abuse.

Prosecuting, Maria Masselis said: “The abuse had a profound effect on this victim, who describes the assaults as unspeakable and humiliating.

“Four decades have passed but not a day has gone by where he has not had to relive the experiences that the defendant put him through.

“He has managed to move forward to a happy and fulfilled life but it has been a long process and in spite of what the defendant did to him – he has never been able to get rid of feelings of pain and shame at what happened to him and continues to feel anger and resentment.”

Another victim told officers that he had physically recoiled when Wilde touched him and said that he did not speak about the abuse until 25 years later – he added that he felt justice has not been done by Wilde’s first prosecution.

Wilde had previously been jailed for two years in September 2015 for touching the genitals of two boys aged 12 and 13 during the 1970s.

They recalled that the defendant had exhibited controlling behaviour in the classroom - beating them with Bunsen burners and watching them shower.

Following the publicity around the court case, the further three complainants came forward over the abuse Wilde had subjected them to.

When questioned about the allegations, Wilde said he had no recollections of specific incidents but admitted touching pupils and said that he was a young, naïve teacher having been aged 23 at the time he joined the school.

He admitted 10 counts of indecent assault and was jailed for 12 months at Chester Crown Court today – he will be released on license halfway through his sentence.

Wilde will also be required to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Recorder Patrick Thompson said: “These boys’ parents trusted you with the most precious thing that they have in the world, but you used your position to abuse these young boys by touching their genitals for your own sexual gratification.

“How would you feel if teachers had behaved in that way to your own children?

“I don’t accept that you were young and naïve – young teachers don’t behave in that way and to suggest that is insulting to people involved in the teaching profession.

“You abused the trust placed in you and you did that having no regard to the potential effect on these young boys and the damage you were causing – you were interested only in your own sexual desires.

“Unfortunately you have caused considerable damage – it has had a traumatic effect on one of your victims and he says that he is unable to rid himself of the pain and shame he feels.

“He shouldn’t feel any shame – the only person who should is you for your shameful behaviour towards these young boys.”