School divided by sex trial

AN entire school community was torn in two by allegations that a teacher sexually touched young boys.

Jurors in the case of 25-year-old Neil Carr heard that the alleged touching divided parents between those believing the accusations and those standing by the teacher.

One by one, mothers of young girls took to the dock at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday to support the defendant, who faces 20 counts of sexual activity with a child.

One mother, who has also volunteered at the school for years, said it would have been impossible for him to carry out the acts in a full classroom.

Another mum, who said her daughter had also heard the boy use words like “sexing” at a young age, said Carr was a good teacher and that her daughter “loved him”.

A fellow teacher at the school also took to the dock to detail how Mr Carr had shown dedication to his job, voluntarily giving up his own time to take school trips and get to know his pupils before becoming their teacher.

He said he found it strange that the children had not told anyone, adding that youngsters would usually tell a teacher, parent or another child if they were unhappy with something.

The trial continues.


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