Shropshire man in public inquiry call over alleged sex abuse at school

Andrew Wood, 56, and Mark Shelton, 57, from Shifnal, went to the independent boys' school Tettenhall College in the early 70s and accuse the former lower school headmaster Colin Cope, now 83, of sexually abusing them.

West Midlands Police officers are reviewing secretly-recorded video footage that shows Mr Cope joking and reciting poetry at a public talk just eight months after the court case against him in 2009 was halted because he was "too ill".

The two hope a public inquiry would help make public the extent of alleged abuse at the school.

Mr Wood, from Hereford, said: "I appreciate the school is not the same place now as it was then – but what we want is for the truth to be made public."

Mr Shelton said: "I think this is needed to restore credibility and bring justice to our town."

Mr Cope, who now lives in an 18th century National Trust property in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset, was charged with 11 sexual offences against children aged 11 to 13.

But a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court never got to hear any of the evidence because Judge Robin Onions stayed the case on Cope's health grounds and ruled the long passage of time – more than 35 years – since the offences were said to have taken place, created difficulties for the defendant to challenge the prosecution case. Mr Cope denied any wrongdoing.

The allegations are likely to be looked at by the independent child sex abuse inquiry set up by the Government.

Tettenhall College paid £129,000 to settle civil action by five former pupils, including Mr Wood and Mr Shelton.

They received payments ranging from £5,000 to £60,000 when they agreed to settle the claim against the school.

Liability was not admitted by the school.

The school stresses the allegations date back more than 40 years. In a statement the school said: "We would like to add that Tettenhall College would fully co-operate with any further inquiries arising."