A FORMER North Yorkshire prep school master has appeared in court, accused of 16 indecent assaults on boys under the age of 14.

Monk Father Piers Henry Michael Grant-Ferris, 71, of Ampleforth Abbey, spoke only to confirm his name and address at a hearing at Scarborough Magistrates Court yesterday.

The indecent assaults are alleged to have happened at Gilling Castle Preparatory School between 1965 and 1975.

Fr Grant-Ferris, a member of the Ampleforth monastic community, who wore a blue waterproof jacket, was released on conditional bail for three weeks until February 4, by which date his solicitor indicated that he would enter a plea to the charges.

Updated: 11:47 Saturday, January 15, 2005