British Airways has reportedly agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to children in Africa who were allegedly molested by one of its pilots.

First Officer Simon Wood, 54, killed himself after he was charged with committing child abuse offences.

BA agreed to the payment but denied legal responsibility.

Wood, from Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, had been due to appear in court to face separate charges of indecent assault on an eight-year-old girl and possessing indecent images of children but was found dead in August 2013.

Lawyers acting on behalf of 38 children and young adults who claim the pilot assaulted them had said BA should bear responsibility because Wood carried out the alleged attacks at schools and orphanages while on stopovers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The alleged period of abuse was from 2001-13, when the alleged victims were aged between about four and 18, the law firm Leigh Day said.

BA said: “The allegations against Simon Wood have been shocking and horrifying. Though we do not bear any legal responsibility for Simon Wood’s actions, we recognise the impact they had on his victims and the distress and suffering they caused. This recognition is reflected in the agreement we have made with the victims’ representatives.”

An inquest in July 2014 found that Wood died after being struck by a train near Potters Bar station.