A former headmaster has been sentenced for sexually assaulting pupils in his care at an independent boarding school in the 1980s.
John Mash, 79, of Cobham Grange, Surrey, was arrested in June 2014 after allegations of sexual assault were made to the Metropolitan Police 's Sexual Offences, Child Abuse and Exploitation Command.
He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court, on Friday (April 1) in connection with the offences at St Martin's School in Northwood .
Four former pupils alleged that Mash would enter their dormitories at night and sexually assault boys boarding at the school.
Mash appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday February 15, where he pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault on four boys under the age of 14.
He was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years and a two-year supervision order for three of the counts.
He was also sentenced to one year's imprisonment; suspended for two years, for three other counts. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Mash will also be placed on the Sex Offender's Register for 10 years and ordered to pay costs of £1,350.
Two counts of indecent assault were left to lie on file.
Detective Constable Emma MacDonald, of the Met's Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Throughout this case I have been hugely impressed with the courage of the victims who have relived traumatic incidents from their childhood committed by a man entrusted to keep them safe.
"I urge all survivors of sexual abuse, no matter how historic, to come forward and speak with police."
Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse should call the Metropolitan Police Service's Sexual Offences, Child Abuse and Exploitation Command by dialling 101.
