A FORMER primary school teacher turned masseur has been jailed for sexually assaulting clients.

Richard Kitchen, 65, of Dean Street, Brightlingsea, was charged with eight counts against three alleged victims.

He admitted five counts of sexual assault against two victims and was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Kitchen, known to many as Bill, was a respected member of the community.

A talented musician and music tutor he performed at gigs around north Essex.

He was a member of the Brightlingsea Operatic Group.

But now his reputation is in tatters.

Kitchen spent almost 40 years as a social worker, builder, musician and teacher, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He worked at schools across north Essex including Brightlingsea Junior School up until April 2010 when his contract was terminated by mutual agreement.

He also trained as a reflexologist, creating the business Sole Sensations, and it is while carrying out this role the abuse took place.

Offences occured on November 12, 2013 and August 14, 2014, according to a spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service.

The spokesman explained clients would go from a massage and he would take advantage.

He was jailed for a year at Chelmsford Crown Court on September 30.