A 91-year-old man has been found guilty of historic sexual assaults which he committed while working as a physical education teacher in Birmingham.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court heard how Marcus Marcussen from Rochford, near Tenbury Wells, was a teacher at a  secondary school in Birmingham during the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

It was during this period when he indecently assaulted 12 students - some on the school grounds and others on school trips.

In 2012, nearly 40 years after a sexual assault was committed by Marcussen on one of the victims, others eventually came forward and informed the police of what had happened.

An investigation was launched and following coverage of the assaults in the media, more victims came forward to report similar offences which the defendant had carried out on them during their time at the same school.

Marcussen was eventually arrested and has been found guilty of 25 counts of indecent assault on boys  all under the age of 16.

Jeanette Bryant, senior crown prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) Public Protection Unit, said: “This successful prosecution demonstrates that regardless of when an offence was carried out, if there is enough evidence and if it is in the public interest, the CPS and its partners will work together to ensure that those responsible for committing such crimes are brought to justice.

“Marcus Marcussen was a serial sexual predator who over three decades abused his position of trust and preyed on young vulnerable victims for his own sexual gratification.

“It was only 40 years later when one of his victims reported what had happened which eventually led to Marcussen’s arrest and conviction.

“I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all the victims and witnesses who supported the prosecution case and their courage in giving their evidence during this trial.”

Marcussen will be sentenced on Friday.