Cheers as teacher is cleared of assaulting 15-year-old girl

A TEACHING union called today for classroom staff accused by children to have anonymity until they are convicted after a teacher with 23 years of unblemished experience was cleared of assaulting a pupil.

William Stuart, 47, was found not guilty of assaulting a 15-year-old girl at a North Yorkshire school by magistrates in Scarborough after a two-day trial.

There were cheers and celebrations in court when the verdict was read out.

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Speaking after the hearing, Anne Swift, from the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said the strain of the case has had an “enormous impact” on Mr Stuart’s family.

She said teachers accused in this way should be granted anonymity until they are convicted by a court.

Mrs Swift said: “He was made to feel a criminal before anything was found.”

The union official said: “It’s too easy for youngsters and their families to make false accusations.

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“There should be consequences for those who make false allegations.”

Mrs Swift, who is the executive member of the NUT for the North East, said: “It is every teacher’s worst nightmare. You could go to work tomorrow and be arrested the next day.”

Magistrates made an order banning the identification of the complainant.