A private school principal in Chester County, Pennsylvania who prosecutors said told a male student "not to fight the love" during gropings and hugs in the administrator's office has been charged with assault.
George James Symonds, 62, of Wilmington, Delaware, was arrested Friday for allegedly abusing the now 15-year-old student for nearly a year at The Concept School in Thornbury Township.
Prosecutors said the abuse began in the Spring of 2014 with Symonds telling the victim he loved him and teaching the 8th grade student how to masturbate.
The victim would be called to Symonds' office and in school bathrooms, prosecutors said, to hug and would have his buttocks cupped.
Symonds apparently warned the student to delete cellphone logs, texts and emails between saying he could go to jail if people found out about the abuse, according to prosecutors.
The Concept School fired Symonds who had been Head of School since 2012 and a teacher since 2004. He also taught at schools in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
Symonds is charged with Corruption of Minors, Endangering the Welfare of Children and two counts of Indecent Assault. He has been released on $100,000 bail.
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Evan Kelly, Symonds' attorney, said his client maintains his innocence.
"We dispute several of the facts in the indictment and are looking forward to our day in court," he said.
