A former Auckland teacher has been jailed for three years for sexually abusing boys

Benjamin Swann has been sentenced at the High Court at Auckland, on five charges of indecent acts on four boys.

The defence had argued each of the boys lied, but the Crown said their accounts were honest.

In sentencing, Justice Simon Moore recognised the defendant had no earlier convictions and had prior good character.

But he says the effect on the victims was "incredibly sad reading".