Ex- headteacher, 95, faces abuse charges

Jack Mount, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, made separate appearances yesterday at both Birmingham Magistrates’ Court and the city’s Crown Court.

Mount is the former head of the privately-run Brookside School, near Craven Arms in Shropshire.

He is facing allegations that over a 25-year period he committed 32 sexual offences against six girls and six boys.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between 1954 and 1979.

The pensioner, who was born in May 1919, spoke only to confirm his age and address during a brief hearing that took place yesterday at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

The lower court agreed to a request by prosecutor David Devine for Mount to appear at the Crown Court on the same day owing to his age and the nature of the alleged offences.

Mount, of Paradise Lawn, South Molton, Devon, is facing nine counts of rape, six of gross indecency, nine of indecent assault, and eight other sexual offences.

One of the offences is alleged to have been committed in Barnsley in the mid-1950s.

A further three offences are alleged to have occurred in Birmingham between 1957 and 1962.

The remaining 28 charges relate to allegations of sexual abuse against boys and girls said to have taken place in south Shropshire between 1967 and 1979.

Mount, who denies all the charges, was granted unconditional bail.

He is due to reappear at a plea hearing in January.