Russell Tillson, 73, a former head of sixth form at Tonbridge School, a boys’ boarding and day school in Kent, has gone on trial accused of six sexual offences against three pupils over a 17-year period, Mail Online has reported.

Tillson is a Conservative councillor and former local Tory association chairman. He is accused of molesting two boys in 1984 and a further victim in September and October 2001, at which point an internal investigation was launched and Tillson left the school.

Jurors at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent were told that one of the alleged victims complained to the school in the 1980s, but was told Tillson was too ‘valuable’ a member of staff and so no investigation would take place.

The alleged offences took place during one-to-one tuition or social occasions in his private accommodation at the school, where he allowed pupils to drink alcohol and smoke.

The trial continues.