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Unreasonable and Unacceptable Force : Teacher Found Guilty of Assault.
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In evidence, he told the magistrates that after repeatedly asking the boy to stop misbehaving, he picked him up by his belt and collar and carried him out of the classroom, putting him down inside a cupboard.
But after a three day trial, the magistrates found him guilty, ruling that the force he had used was “unreasonable”.
In handing out his sentence yesterday, chairman of the bench Peter Page told Becker that his actions had taken him “perilously close” to the custodial sentence threshold.
He said: “We were told at trial that after investigating the incident the police were minded to deal with the matter by means of a caution. You declined that option.
“Whatever the extent of your knowledge, your description of the child's behaviour as 'racist' is ill conceived.”
Mr Page said that Becker's actions in leaving the school after the incident without telling the head teacher did him “little credit” and bringing it to the attention of the authorities immediately would have stood him in greater stead.
He added: “You have, by a serious error of judgement, already brought upon yourself more punishment than this court could impose.”
However, he did say that Becker's contribution to education “over many years” could not be “overstated”.
Speaking outside the court after the sentence was passed, Becker said he was sorry for the child, who did not suffer any lasting injuries but has been plagued by nightmares for many months.
Becker said: “This whole process has been terribly stressful. Obviously I wish it had never happened. My Life's work was teaching and I wish the whole thing had never happened.
“It is almost certain I will lose my job because they will not be able to employ anyone with a criminal conviction.
“I'm very, very sorry for the child for what happened.”
Mr Becker is now expected to be referred either to the Independent Safeguarding Authority or the General Teaching Council for England. Both bodies have the power to ban him from teaching.
A Suffolk County Council spokeswoman confirmed he was still suspended pending an internal disciplinary investigation.
Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, branded Mr Becker's treatment 'disgraceful'.
He said: 'The fact that a teacher with 31 years exemplary service can lose his job and be heavily fined over a single incident like this is an absolute tragedy, especially when there is such a shortage of good teachers.'
View the video news on http://www.itv.com/anglia/teacherfined77969/
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1222486/Teacher-hauled-special-needs-pupil-class-telling-racist-joke-fined-1-500-faces-sack.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0UrVkvVPl
TT Comment: In order for effective teaching and learning to take place, teachers are required to maintain good order and discipline. Where there is a foreseeable risk of disruptive behaviour, leaders and managers within schools should support staff with appropriate training; so that the guidance as issued by DCSF: "The use of force to control or restrain pupils" (Nov 2007) can be acted upon.
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24 Oct 2009 by George Matthews
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