Four-year-old autistic boy allegedly assaulted at school

Friday 14 October 2016

A teacher at a Jersey school has denied two charges of common assault on a four-year-old autistic boy.

The Magistrate’s Court today heard more evidence in the case against a teacher, who is accused of committing both assaults on the boy on the same day, February 9.

It is alleged the teacher, who has been suspended from work pending the outcome of the trial, wiped the child’s own saliva over his face and kicked his legs. 

The defendant and school have not been named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of the child.

Police Legal Advisor Jan Brewer said the charges concerned the “unlawful use of force so that assaults were committed.”

Ms Brewer asked a witness, who also worked at the school, about the incident. 

She replied: “I was told the children had gone into the kitchen as a treat to make pancakes. I got to the kitchen and noticed it was very busy and quite hectic. There was a lot of screaming and crying. The boy was crying and screaming and did not want to be there.

“The defendant was standing and pointing to the ingredients with the boy. This made him more cross and the screaming got worse. There was saliva coming out of his mouth more and more. He was clearly upset. His emotions were obvious as he was getting more angry and he didn’t want to be there. He was not comfortable. There was a lot of snot and dribble as a result of all the crying. 

“The defendant then began to rub the saliva with his hand and wiped it on his face and forehead. This made him even more cross and upset. She was wiping the saliva with her hand over his hand. It was not a nice situation to be part of. It was a full kitchen and it was very heated and uncomfortable.”

The witness, who has trained in de-escalating problems with children, said she would have tried to calm the situation. 

Ms Brewer asked her what she thought of the defendant, who was her line manager at the school. 

She replied: “She was my boss. We did not socialise outside of school other than on work outings. She was a good manager. She had good days and bad days, like everybody else. I got on with my job and if she had a bad day I would stay clear.”

The boy’s doctor also appeared as a witness and told the court the four-year-old had autism and that a ‘new’ situation, such as pancake-making, could trigger a reaction. 

He said: “Some of his behaviour is driven by anxiety because of his difficulty in communication. This was not a daily routine and I suspect that is why he did not want anything to do with it and became anxious and upset. 

“A lay person may interpret his behaviour as being stubborn. It is about experience and understanding the range of what autism is.” 

The trial, in front of Magistrate Bridget Shaw, continues.