A 28-year-old swimming teacher from Soest, arrested on Thursday following allegations he sexually abused several young boys in his care, had been investigated earlier, news agency ANP says on Friday.

The man was investigated after similar complaints were made about him several years ago, ANP says. However, no evidence was found and the case was dropped, a public prosecution department spokesman said.

The man is said to have abused three boys aged five and six in a swimming pool in Velsen-Zuid. He has been remanded in custody for 14 days pending further investigation.

The man has worked at various swimming pools.