Two men, including one from a village near Grantham, have been sentenced to a total of 23 years and 6 months

The sentences follow an investigation into reports of non-recent sexual assaults and other offences from former pupils of Stubton Hall School.

David Taylor, 71 years, from Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln and Raymond Longley, aged 86 years, from Back Lane, Caythorpe, have been convicted of sexual offences covering a 20-year period between 1983 and 1995 at Lincoln Crown Court.

In 2016 a complaint of sexual assault was made by a former pupil of Stubton Hall School.

A detailed criminal investigation by Lincolnshire Police revealed evidence of non-recent sexual offences, assault and ill-treatment by the two former members of staff against a number of pupils at the school.

During the investigation 463 school pupils were identified and 340 traced to a last known address. Of these 203 former pupils engaged with the investigation team.

Stubton Hall School, north of Grantham, opened in 1952 as a boy's school and became a school for boys and girls in 1982. It was predominantly a boarding school but did have a mixture of boarders and day students up until 2003 when it closed permanently.

Some children resided at the school but attended other schools in the area. The school was a local authority maintained special education needs school, under the governance of Lincolnshire County Council. David Taylor worked at the school between 1975 to 1995. He held the position of Deputy Headmaster between 1982 to 1995. Raymond Longley worked at the school between 1982 to 1997. He held the position of Head of Care between 1982 to 1984. He remined at the school as a member of the care team until he retired in 1997. Taylor previously appeared at Lincoln District Magistrates Court on 7 September 2020, where he pleaded not guilty to a number of charges. The charges relate to indecent assault on a girl, rape of a female under the age of 16 years and assault, ill-treat, neglect, abandon a child or young person to cause unnecessary suffering or injury. Following a 5-week trial at Lincoln Crown Court between 24 May 21 and 24 June this year, Taylor was found guilty of 3 counts of rape, 4 counts of indecent assault on a girl and 2 counts of assault/ill-treat/neglect a child or young person and sentenced, on 2 July 2021, to a total of 19 years and 6 months in prison. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and also placed on the Barred List. The charges to which he was found guilty relate to 5 victims. Longley appeared at Lincoln District Magistrates Court on 2 October 2020, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault on a girl. He was found guilty following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court between 5 July 21 and 19 July 21. He was found guilty of 4 counts of indecent assault on a girl. On 23 August 21 he was sentenced to 4 years in prison. The charges to which he was found guilty relate to 3 victims. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Richard Hatton (now retired) said he hoped the convictions would help the victims of these crimes in some way. "The courage to come forward and be prepared to give evidence in court should never be underestimated," said Mr Hatton. "We have completed a detailed and through investigation but this was only possible because of the evidence given by others. I want to pay tribute to the victims and witnesses whose evidence has brought these two men to face justice." The current owners of Stubton Hall are in no way connected to this inquiry. Lincolnshire Police added, if you've been the victim of crime, support is available, whether you have reported the crime to the police or not. Victim Lincs provide free, confidential advice and guidance, as well as access to specialist emotional support services. Visit victimlincs.co.uk or call 01522 947510 Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm