Pupil ‘snog’ trial man is cleared

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.