‘Exemplary’ teacher faces losing his livelihood after being charged with assault for cuffing chatting pupil on head in lessons
The youngster wasn't injured but told his dad who complained to the school
A TEACHER faces losing his job after he was hauled before the courts and charged with assault - for CUFFING a pupil round the head.
Matthew Mountford, 37, tapped the youngster, who wasn't injured, because he was talking during a lesson.
A court heard the pupil told his dad who complained to the school and reported the incident to police.
Mountford, of Sandbach, Cheshire, admitted assault by beating and was handed a six-month community order with 40 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £135 costs and an £85 surcharge by magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre of Wednesday.
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Chairwoman of the bench Pamela Singh said: "You worked for 12 years at the same school and have an exemplary record.
"However, you have come before the court and have pleaded guilty to the offence.
"The most aggravating factor is the breach of trust of the teacher/pupil relationship.
"There will be no compensation to the victim as there was no serious injury."
The incident took place in October last year and Mountford was suspended by the school, which can't be named because of a court order, in November.
The court heard the teacher, who had an exemplary 12-year record, only "brushed" the victim's hair.
But Jane Siddons, defending, said he pleaded guilty because the school has a zero-tolerance approach to assaults.
She added: "When we were at school this situation would not have ended up in court.
"Had it ended up in the crown court a jury might not have convicted him. He accepts he should not have used force.
"He has never been in trouble before and is unlikely to be in trouble again."
You worked for 12 years at the same school and have an exemplary record.
Chairwoman of the bench Pamela Singh
The court heard Mountford, who is being supported by the National Union of Teachers, faces losing his job because of the court action.
Mrs Siddons added: "Once the guilty plea is known to the authorities he is not going to be allowed to teach.
"His life is going to drastically change. It is going to hit him like a sledgehammer.
"This has been fuelled by the father. The boy was not hurt. He did the lessons for the rest of the day. It was only when he went home.
"I have never asked for an absolute discharge. But you may think in these circumstances he has had, or will have, sufficient punishment."
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