Headmaster cleared of hitting 10-year-old pupil
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A head teacher was yesterday cleared of slapping an unruly 10- year-old pupil across the face.
A jury at Bradford Crown Court took just 30 minutes to bring its verdict on a charge of assault against 47-year-old Ian Blakeley.
He had been accused of losing his temper and slapping a boy who was disrupting a lesson at Crosland Moor Junior School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in December last year.
Outside court Mr Blakeley said: "I don't believe in hitting children, I never have done. I think it demeans the teacher, you lose dignity and in the end you lose authority."
Mr Blakeley went on: "I'm very grateful for the support I have received from the Kirklees community of schools who have been ringing me up and sending me cards non-stop.
"I'm just glad that today, at long last after 11 months, commonsense has prevailed."
Mr Blakeley resigned his post as head teacher at the school in June this year and now works as an education adviser with the local education authority.
His wife, Hazel, 47, a science teacher at a local secondary school, described the proceedings as a "waste of money". She said she was now fearful of walking back into a classroom next week.
Judge Ian Dobkin ordered Mr Blakeley's legal costs for the three-day trial to be met out of public funds.
The prosecution started last December after the 10-year-old boy's father called police alleging his son had been assaulted by Mr Blakeley. The boy, who cannot be named, had told the court the head teacher grabbed him by the throat and slapped him across the face leaving a red mark.
But Mr Blakeley, who lives in Huddersfield and who has been a teacher for 26 years, insisted throughout he had not hit the boy.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments