Former teacher on trial for child cruelty pleads not guilty to one charge

A man accused of child cruelty when he worked as a teacher at a boarding school for boys has gone on trial.
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Graham Hallett, 66, of Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster, has pleaded not guilty to one alleged offence of cruelty to a child aged under 16.

The trial at Ipswich Crown Court, which began on Tuesday, is expected to last for eight weeks and involves allegations made by former pupils at the Oakwood School in Stowmarket, Suffolk, which is now closed.

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Jacqueline Carey, prosecuting, told the jury that 20 former pupils who were at the school between 1974 and 1997 had made allegations that they were punched,kicked, repeatedly slapped and restrained in head-locks by staff.

The school had catered for boys aged between eight and 16 with educational and behavioural difficulties.

Miss Carey said: “They were naughty young boys.

“Because of their problems they were also vulnerable.”

Addressing the jury, Miss Carey said: “The violence
meted out to them was an all too prevalent part of life at Oakwood.

“You may consider that there was an abusiveregime that existed.”

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The jury is due to hear evidence from the 20 alleged victims of abuse at the hands of the four men on trial.

Parents, friends and other teaching staff will also be givingevidence.The four former teachers were arrested following a lengthy investigation by Suffolk Police and when interviewed denied any wrongdoing, said Miss Carey.

Hallett denied having physically assaulted any pupil during his time at Oakwood but said it was, on occasions, necessary to restrain pupils for the safety of others.

Also on trial are Gerald West, 70, of Gislingham, Suffolk; Michael Watts, 59, of Netley Abbey, Southampton and Stephen Player, 61, of Spratton, Northamptonshire.

Between them the four face a total of 24 charges of cruelty to a person aged under 16 to which all have pleaded not guilty.

The trial continues.