A FORMER headteacher has appeared in court charged with sex offences.

Neal McGowan, 54, of Dickonsfield, Edinburgh, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court this morning facing a string of offences.

McGowan, who taught at William De Ferrers School, in Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers, did not enter a plea at the hearing.

Wearing a suit as he appeared in the dock, he spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

McGowan was arrested by Essex Police in March 2016.

He has been charged with two counts of abuse of position of trust, one for causing or inciting sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 17, and one for causing a child aged 13 to 17 to watch a sexual act.

He was also charged with three counts of making indecent images of a child.

He is next due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court for a plea hearing on Wednesday, June 21.

McGowan was released on bail until then on the condition that he does not interfere with prosecution witnesses and he doesn't visit the school without prior permission.