Ex-Private School Teacher Dies Before Court Appearance

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A former schoolteacher at a private prep school has died before a court appearance on historic child sex offences charges.

Timothy Harbord, 67, was a sports coach, who taught English and history at Colet Court – the junior division of St. Paul's – in Barnes, south-west London.

He was due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on four counts relating to one boy, aged under fourteen years-old.

Harbord, of Waunci Crescent, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk was charged with four counts of indecent assault between July 6, 1987 and July 8, 1989.

He was arrested as part of police enquiry Operation Winthorpe, which has been investigating allegations of historic sexual abuse at the school. 

It has been reported Harbord taught at the school for twenty-five years and left in 2013, following his first arrest.