A former primary school teacher today appeared in court charged with a string of sexual offences against two schoolboys.

Lloyd Dennis, 33, faces a total of 28 separate offences - including five counts of rape of a child.

He is also accused of six counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Dennis - appearing via video link - taught at a number of primary schools across Hampshire before becoming a lecturer in health, social care and education.

Wearing a grey, round neck jumper, Dennis was told he is expected to enter pleas to the charges on the 28-count indictment next Friday.

He was supposed to appear in person at Southampton Crown Court, today but was unable to attend due to electrical problems in the court's cells.

Instead, he only confirmed his identity in the short five minute hearing.

Judge Peter Ralls QC remanded Dennis, from Eastleigh, in custody at HMP Winchester until next Friday for a plea and case management hearing.

Dennis, who taught at the Basingstoke College of Technology, also faces four counts of indecency with a child, one count of sexual assault, one count of assault by penetration and three counts of indecent assault on a male.

In addition he is charged with four counts of making indecent photographs of a child, three counts of possessing indecent photos of a child and a further count of possessing extreme pornographic images.

The former teacher taught at a number of schools including Bishop's Waltham Junior School and Cadland Primary School in Holbury on the outskirts of Hampshire's New Forest.

All of the schools have been informed of his arrest and contacted by police.

A provisional trial date for Dennis is set for September this year.