A FORMER Bishop's Waltham schoolteacher has been jailed for 15 years for a string of sex attacks against young boys.

Lloyd Dennis, 32, of Sopwith Road, Eastleigh, had pleaded guilty to 20 sexual offences, including rape, at an earlier hearing.

Before his conviction Dennis was described as "a pillar of the community" and taught at Bitterne Park and Sinclair primary schools in Southampton, as well as Bishop’s Waltham Junior School.

Police said he was handed a 15-year sentence at a hearing at Southampton Crown Court today.

Detective Constable Sarah Fox, officer in the case, said: “This was a complex and disturbing case.

“Lloyd Dennis gained the trust of both these boys and used that power to sexually abuse them repeatedly.

“I would like to thank both victims and their families for their patience and understanding throughout this investigation.

“It has been an extremely difficult time for them and I hope that through these convictions and the sentence they can come to terms with what happened.”

Anyone with concerns is asked to contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101