Sydney teacher accused of child sex offences awaits verdict

A jury has retired to consider charges against a former teacher accused of sexually abusing young boys at a Sydney church-run prep school in the 1970s.

Neil Albert Futcher has been on trial in Sydney's District Court after pleading not guilty to the 22 historical child sex charges, which includes eight counts of buggery, and on Monday Judge Jennie Girdham sent the jury to out to deliberate following a three-week trial.

The alleged abuse of students, aged from 11 and 15 began when Futcher was in his late twenties and continued through his early thirties, the trial heard.

He preyed on boys while working as a teacher and cricket and rugby coach at a church-run prep school at Strathfield in Sydney's west between 1974 and 1978, the Crown alleged.

But an investigation wasn't started until 2013 and it was another two years until Futcher was charged.

The 69-year-old, who is on bail, strenuously denies the allegations.