UNITED KINGDOM
Telegraph
Questions over trial as headteacher cleared of sex abuse allegations in just 15 minutes
A respected headmaster has been cleared by a jury in just 15 minutes after “unbelievable” allegations he molested an unruly pupil subjected him to a year-long court ordeal.
James Bird, 53, was arrested at his desk after he was accused of assaulting a boy more than decade ago when he was head of a Church of England primary school.
The pupil, described as “aggressive, confrontational and challenging” by staff, had been sent to Mr Bird’s study for talking back to a teacher in class.
Ten years later the pupil, now 20, went to police after a drinking session with a friend to claim he was forced to perform sex acts upon Mr Bird as “punishment” for being naughty at St Peter’s C or E Primary School, in Accrington, Lancashire.
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