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Pupil ‘snog’ trial man is cleared
Date published: 12 December 2008
A technician who was accused of “snogging” a pupil at an Oldham school has been cleared by a jury.
Anthony Jennings (39), denied kissing the 16–year–old girl, who cannot be named, after she said he “snogged” her and it made her feel “sick” in November last year.
Mr Jennings who worked in the IT department, told Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court during the three–day trial: “I never touched the girl, full stop. That never happened.”
Mr Jennings also said a conversation in which he allegedly said he was old enough to be the girl’s father “never took place”.
He said he confided in another teacher about the attention the schoolgirl paid him. Mr Jennings said he told him: “She just seems to come to me and see me for any excuse. She talks to me about things.”
He was suspended from the school following the girl’s complaint against him.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it, this has never happened in my career, full stop.”
Mr Jennings, of Boothroyden Close, Rochdale, denied one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust on November 13 last year.
Comments
Agree with you 100% Millsy.
As Mr Jennings has been found not guilty of the offence, why is it permissible to publish his details, but not those of the girl. The jury obviously believed that her complaint against him was malicious. She walks away scotfree into anonymity, while he is marked for life.
This biased state of affairs needs changing.
Spot-on! This guy could now be targeted by the "holier-than-thou" brigade and wrongly driven out of the community!
The 'Chron should print a retraction, but the damage is already done.
As usual, the other party gets away without any prosecution or being asked to publicly apologise.
As I heard it was a split jury, so some believed him to be guilty! I do agree it was wrong that his detials should be published, but i dont see how she walks away scott free.
Have Your Say
Why has this man`s address been published when he`s been found not guilty of the offence. This is an appalling abuse of this mans privacy rights. I`m all for bringing anyone to justice that has been involved with youngsters but this is obviously a case of teenage infatuation.
Oldham Chron, you should be ashamed!
By Millsy @ 12/12/2008 13:01:17