Posted on 03/11/2004 6:12:10 PM PST by blam
Jurors clear teacher over Muslim girl's assault claim
By David Sapsted
(Filed: 12/03/2004)
Hazel Dick
An "outstanding" teacher was unanimously cleared by a jury yesterday of a religiously motivated assault on a Muslim pupil.
Hazel Dick, the head of science at a comprehensive in Peterborough, had the charge of religiously aggravated assault hanging over her for a year after a girl claimed that she had ripped off her headscarf. Yesterday, at the end of a three-day trial, it took just 50 minutes for a jury at Peterborough Crown Court to find her innocent.
As the verdict was announced in one of the first cases of its kind since religious aggravation was introduced into law, friends, family and supporters of the Cambridge-educated teacher broke out in spontaneous applause in the public gallery as Mrs Dick wiped away tears.
Afterwards, her head teacher at Bretton Woods Community School said that the case illustrated the vulnerability of teachers to false accusations by pupils and said that the Government should consider the call by the NASUWT for teachers facing allegations of misconduct to remain anonymous.
Mrs Dick, 43, was charged after Selina Sabeel, 15, claimed that she had sustained a scratch on her chin when the teacher ripped her "hijab" scarf from her head.
The girl, who has an appalling disciplinary record and is currently on notice of expulsion after twice being excluded from school for misbehaviour, claimed that the teacher made insulting remarks about Islam during the incident.
Mrs Dick had consistently denied calling Islam "a big joke" and, after the verdict, Judge Nicholas Coleman told her: "I hope you can put this behind you. You go with the good wishes of the court."
Kenny Vaughan, 50, the teacher's brother, said outside court: "My sister is a religious woman and has always treated other religions with the highest respect.
"Over this hard period she has received a number of well wishes and prayers from Christians and Muslims. My sister would now like to be left alone to rebuild her life and get back to what she has always strived to do, which is to teach and develop young people."
The incident in March last year began when Mrs Dick ordered the girl to remove a non-uniform headscarf and replace it with a school one. The girl claimed that Mrs Dick had told her that she had no respect for Islam and said that her religion "is all a big joke".
Miss Sabeel then said that she was scratched by a pin when the teacher ripped the scarf from her head. Mrs Dick, however, denied insulting the girl's religion or forcibly removing the scarf.
"I said to her that she did not have much respect for her religion because uniform formed part of her religion," she had told the court. "She said she did have respect for her religion. She was upset and stormed off.
"I didn't do or say anything to insult her religion. I was surprised by her reaction. She was not hurt in any way when she left."
Mrs Dick said the girl later called her "a f****** bitch" after she had kept her in at lunchtime because she was late for a science lesson. The following afternoon, the teacher was made aware that the girl had accused her of assault.
John Gribble, the school's head teacher, who described Mrs Dick as an "outstanding" teacher, said afterwards: "The school is delighted to learn that the jury has acquitted Ms Dick.
"Ms Dick has a distinguished and unblemished record at the school and enjoys the trust and admiration of her colleagues and governors. The case raises serious issues concerning the vulnerability of staff. Just as appropriate rules must exist to ensure the protection of children, so too must there be a duty of care for staff.
"The campaign by the NAS/UWT for anonymity of staff who are subject to allegations of misconduct deserves serious consideration by government."
No way. They aren't practicing the real Islam of Mohamed the rapist, murderer and pedophile. They have reached a psychological accommodation with the rogue religion they were born into. Due to good human instincts or upbringing they have chosen to ignore the life of Mohamed which all Muslims are commanded by the Koran to emulate
Real Islam is a death cult
Good luck. When the 'call' comes, they'll probably slit your throat and think nothing about it.
To: Equusphile
"I am Christian, and work and are friends with some really nice people who practice Islam."Good luck. When the 'call' comes, they'll probably slit your throat and think nothing about it.
10 posted on 03/11/2004 9:32:24 PM CST by blam
I feel the same way.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.