Five men aged between 69 and 90 have been arrested and charged in connection with abuse spanning 24 years at private day school The Edinburgh Academy, STV has reported. The abuse incidents are alleged to have taken place between 1968 and 1992.

A sixth man, aged 74, will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Police Scotland said reports are being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Detective inspector Colin Moffat said: “We would like to thank everyone who has come forward and assisted our enquiries to date. While the investigation of child abuse, particularly non-recent offences, can be complex and challenging, anyone who reports this type of crime can be assured that we will listen and we will investigate all reports, no matter when those offences occurred or who committed them.

“If you have suffered abuse, or you know anyone who may have been the victim of child abuse then please call Police Scotland on 101.”

Edinburgh Academy was the subject of hearings at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry earlier this year. Former pupils alleged sexual and physical abuse during witness statements to the Inquiry.

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell previously alleged he was abused while at the school by former maths teacher and rugby coach Iain Wares, who also taught at Fettes College, and now lives in South Africa.

Wares, aged 84, faces more than 80 charges of historic abuse relating to more than 40 victims aged as young as nine. He also faces separate charges of sexual misconduct in Cape Town.

A South African court approved Wares’ extradition to the UK in 2020, but that has been delayed by an appeal.