A former Harpenden teacher and founder of an American-style children’s camp appeared in court today over ten charges relating to indecent images of children and child neglect.

Ben Lewis, who taught at St Dominic’s School, ran LL Camps in Bushey with Tal Landsman, who faces charges of child neglect and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The pair indicated at St Albans Crown Court that they intend to plead not guilty to all charges.

Mr Lewis, of Lullington Garth, Borehamwood, faces ten charges including two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child in Hertfordshire on or before May 6, 2015.

He has also been charged with making indecent photographs of a child in Hertfordshire on or before May 6, 2015 and attempting to observe another person doing a private act without consent for sexual gratification in Hertfordshire, on or between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.

The 25-year-old, who stood in the dock wearing a grey suit with purple tie and looked only at the judge, faces three separate charges of possessing indecent images of a child, two counts of perverting the course of justice and one of child neglect.

Mr Landsman, 25, of Admiral Drive, Stevenage, has been charged with child neglect and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Also appearing in court today was Mr Landsman’s mother, Adrianne Landsman, who faces a single charge of conspiracy to wilfully neglect children so as to expose them to risk of harm.

The court was told the 56-year-old, of Gresham Road, Edgware, also intends to plead not guilty.

Mr Lewis’s father Larry Lewis also appeared before St Albans Crown court, charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The 56-year-old, of Lullington Garth, Borehamwood, also intends to plead not guilty.

The court was told that Larry Lewis is not have any contact with his son and is not to attempt to contact him through other family members.

Mr Landsman, Ms Landsman and Mr Lewis’s father, who all remain on bail, will next appear at St Albans Crown Court on January 19.

Mr Lewis will next appear at St Albans Crown Court on November 5. He remains in custody.

A trial date has also been set for week commencing May 23, 2016 and is expected to last three weeks.