Greenbank High School deputy head Patrick Lennon in court on sex charges

A deputy headteacher of a girls' school has appeared in court charged with a number of sexual offences.

Patrick Lennon, 58, appeared before magistrates on Wednesday, court staff said, charged with 25 counts including incitement to rape a child under 13, incitement to engage a child in sexual activity, possession of indecent images and extreme pornography.

Lennon, suspended from Greenbank High School, Southport, Merseyside, did not indicate a plea and was remanded to custody at Bootle Magistrates' Court.

He will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday for a bail hearing.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: "We have been made aware that a member of staff at Greenbank High School has been re-arrested as part of on ongoing police investigation.

"The staff member was suspended from his post in September 2009 and has not returned to the school since. We will continue to help the police with their investigation.

"The arrest relates to the use of his personal computer and at this stage no allegations have been made in connection with the school."

Merseyside Police said the investigation also resulted in the arrest of two other men from Greater Manchester.