Sex claims shock of teacher’s colleagues

TEACHING staff cast doubt on claims their male colleague had sexually touched young boys in his class.

Three assistants and a supply teacher who had each worked alongside Neil Carr (25) spoke up for the accused on the last day of evidence in the lengthy trial.

They described Carr, who denies 20 charges of sexual activity with a child, as professional, gifted and exceptional.

Each said they saw nothing untoward in the classroom.

One teaching assistant spoke of her shock after hearing a boy, who is one of seven making the allegations, make a remark in the corridor.

She said: “I overhead him say ‘I can phone Childline and get any teacher in trouble’.

“To be honest I was really shocked, for a child of his age to come out with language like that seemed totally inappropriate, I couldn’t believe what I had heard.”

Jurors also heard from two other teaching assistants.

One said: “I don’t think any of the children involved would have sat there and let it happen at all.

“My nephew couldn’t wait to be in Mr Carr’s class, I would have no problems with him being in his class.

The trial continues.