Pleaded not guilty: Steven Garrott, 57, has denied two counts of sexual assault and three counts of attempted rape on a girl under 13

A caretaker charged with attempted child rape has been allowed to remain living on school grounds while he awaits trial, prompting a protest from angry parents.

Steven Garrott, 57, denied two counts of sexual assault and three counts of attempted rape on a girl under 13 at Cambridge Crown Court a fortnight ago.

But his bail conditions have allowed him to continue living in a house in the grounds of the infant and nursery school in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.

And with almost half a year until his trial next February, 30 angry parents gathered outside the home as two police cars guarded the scene.

Garrott was later ushered out of the property by two officers, although police insisted he had not been removed due to concerns over his safety.

The parents recognise that Garrott may have done nothing wrong, but feel that until his trial is over and while he cannot work at the school, he should not be living in the house either.

The charges do not relate to the school but Garrott, who plays Santa at the school Christmas fair every year, was suspended on March 31 this year before his arrest.

Home: Garrott's bail conditions have allowed him to continue living in a house (pictured left) in the grounds of the infant and nursery school in Letchworth, Hertfordshire

Parents recognise that Garrott may have done nothing wrong, but feel that until his trial is over and while he cannot work at the school, he should not be living in the house (circled) either

News of his living arrangements has been met with uproar from parents, some of whom are refusing to let their children go to the school.

A source said 42 children were taken out of school today, many in protest at his living arrangements.

One woman, whose daughter attends the school, said: ‘It’s disgusting. We always used to see him locking the gate but he suddenly disappeared around February time.

'I can’t believe he’s been allowed to continue living in that house. He’s metres away from the school. He should be somewhere else.’

Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary were at the school yesterday and today to reassure parents but it seems to have had little effect.

Another woman who has children at the school said: ‘A police officer was at school in the morning trying to calm everything down.

Pictured on the grounds: One woman, whose daughter attends the school, said she used to see Garrott (above) 'locking the gate but he suddenly disappeared around February time'

News of his living arrangements has been met with uproar from parents, some of whom are refusing to let their children go to the school

‘It didn’t work and a lot of parents ended up taking their kids home anyway. The most annoying this is the school aren’t telling us anything.’

Today, the school’s headteacher sent a letter home to parents stating she could understand the ‘shock, upset and anxiety’ caused.

It read: ‘By now most of you will have become aware of the charges against Mr Garrott.

‘I need to start by expressing how I absolutely and completely understand why this news would cause shock, upset, and anxiety to parents.

‘Firstly I want to now assure you that Mr Garrott is no longer living on the premises.’

The letter continues: ‘It goes without saying that this has been an incredibly challenging and distressing time.

On the scene: Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary were at the school yesterday afternoon and today to reassure parents but it seems to have had little effect

‘Going forward I know that we will pull together as a school and community to support each other through this difficult time.’

Speaking from outside her house, Garrott's ex partner Rebecca Gould, 38, said: ‘He was an ex. We were not together very long.

I can’t believe he’s been allowed to continue living in that house. He's metres away from the school. He should be somewhere else Parent of pupil at the school

‘I had heard the rumours about it but he denied it. I have got children and this has got nothing to do with me. We are not together anymore.’

Garrott’s bail conditions include the requirement that he should not contact directly or indirectly either of the alleged victims.

He is also not allowed to have unsupervised contact with a child under the age of 16 unless this is authorised by social services.

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesman said: ‘Steven Garrott from Letchworth is charged with two counts of sexual assault by penetration of a female under the age of 13, three counts of attempted rape of a girl under 13 and sexual assault of a girl under 13.’