Jury out in teacher sex trial

THE fate of teacher Neil Carr, accused of touching young boys in his classroom, now lies in the hands of his trial’s jury.

Judge Timothy Mort retired the 12 members, four women and eight men, for deliberation at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday.

They are expected to return a verdict on each of the 20 charges of sexual assault on a child under 13 later this week.

The move came after the judge summarised the five-week trial, describing how the seven young alleged victims had said they were too frightened at first to speak up about what had happened to them.

The defendant however described the claims as ludicrous, branding the boy a “touchaphobe” who he had once had to spend time with convincing him to simply take off his coat.

Carr strongly denies each of the claims. The case continues.


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