Hillside: Calls For Further Criminal Charges
Nigel LeatA local Councillor wants charges to be brought against senior staff at Hillside First Primary following a child sex abuse scandal.
Former teacher, Nigel Leat was jailed last year for abusing five pupils at the school in Weston-super-Mare over a five year period.
Yesterday the results of a serious case review were published and highlighted the failures of senior management at the school to act despite concerns about him being raised several times.
Over the 15 years he worked at there, incidents of Nigel Leat's inappropriate behaviour with pupils were raised on 30 occasions. Only 11 of these were formally reported. Head teacher at the time, Chris Hood, left his post in December after being suspended in January last year.
The serious case review made 35 recommendations including that every school in the country should read the report.
Local Councillor and former Hillside pupil, Mike Bell is now calling for further action to be taken against those in charge: "Nigel Leat is locked up and justice has been done. But the negligence shown by school leaders in ignoring concerns - some 30 warnings over 14 years - cannot be swept under the carpet. The former head teacher has been dismissed and will no doubt fact further sanction from his professional body.
"However, the neglect of duty is so grave and extensive that I believe criminal charges are justified. I have asked the police to consider the case for such charges. This is not just a matter of employment but of criminal neglect of duty to children and the wider public. Action should be taken not just in the interests of natural justice to those involved but also to send a message to all those who hold positions in the public trust that we demand better."
We're still waiting for a response from Avon and Somerset Police.
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