A retired teacher from Mill Hill has admitted he sexually abused one of his young pupils 40 years ago - despite never being convicted of any offence.

In an interview with this newspaper, Hugh Madley, 63, of Hale Lane, confessed he indecently assaulted the boy at Salesian College, a Catholic boys' grammar school he taught at in Chertsey, Surrey.

His victim, Graham Wilmer, now aged 55, says Mr Madley sexually abused him over a two-year period between 1966 and 1968, when he was aged between 14 and 16 - and was twice taken to Mr Madley's Mill Hill home to be abused.

Mr Madley was questioned by police in 2000 and 2004 about the claims and was due to be tried in 2005, but the case collapsed over a legal technicality.

But on Tuesday - after learning Mr Wilmer has written a book detailing his experiences and naming him as his abuser - Mr Madley confessed that he had sexually abused Mr Wilmer, but said he did not remember doing so.

Asked by this newspaper if Mr Wilmer's claims were true, he said: "I think so, I'm afraid it might have happened. I was prepared to go to prison for it. I'm not 100 per cent sure what's true and what isn't now."

Mr Madley, who is unmarried and suffers severe depression, went on to admit he had indecently assaulted Mr Wilmer, but said he did not believe he had sex with him.

"I wish I could get it clear in my own mind, I must have done it. Why would he say it if it wasn't true?

"I think I did it. I can't imagine he would carry on pursuing the matter if it didn't happen. I wish I could replay it in my mind."

When asked if he might have unconsciously blocked out the painful memories from his mind, he said: "That's what my psychologist said.

"I care about people. The thought of harming people - I'm just not like that."

The former teacher, who at times spoke in disjointed sentences and occasionally broke down during the interview, said he wants to meet Mr Wilmer to help remember what had happened and to help' Mr Wilmer - but he has been told by his solicitor he must not do so.

Mr Madley denied sexually abusing other children and insisted he posed no risk.

Detective Constable John Hobbs, who led the 2004 investigation, agreed Mr Madley was unlikely to carry out further offences, but only because of his age and failing mental health.

Mr Wilmer, who is married with three children, said a nervous breakdown he suffered in 1998 led him to pursue Mr Madley through the courts.

His book, Conspiracy Of Faith: Fighting for Justice after Child Abuse, due to be published by Lutterworth Press on February 22, details his struggle to see justice done.

Mr Wilmer said he felt a degree of sympathy' for Mr Madley at one time, but that evaporated after Mr Madley was prepared to contest the abuse claims in court despite initially admitting his guilt to police.

He said: "He was prepared to put me through a cross-examination, allowing the defence counsel to rummage through my life. The little sympathy was snuffed out after that. I felt intense levels of hatred and I'm still extremely angry he changed his plea."