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Teacher's legal bid over assault Teacher's legal bid is adjourned
(about 4 hours later)
A judicial review has begun in the case of a teacher convicted of assaulting a female pupil at a County Antrim school. A judicial review in the case of a teacher convicted of assaulting a 12-year-old female pupil at a Lisburn school has been adjourned.
David Bell, a teacher at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn, was accused of indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl in 2002. David Bell, a teacher at Laurelhill Community College, was accused of indecently assaulting the girl in 2002.
That charge was dropped and he was convicted on the lesser charge two years later. Lawyers agreed it referred to touching a girl under the chin. That charge was dropped and he was convicted on the lesser charge two years later. He now wants that conviction quashed.
Mr Bell now wants his conviction quashed by the High Court. The court was adjourned to give the girl two weeks to file an affidavit.
The design and technology teacher believes the case should not have gone ahead. It was told the pupil had originally declined to take part in proceedings when asked last December
He said his decision to plead guilty to the assault charge was not voluntary. However, following news reports of the case, she changed her mind.
His treatment led to a protest strike by teachers at the school in October 2004. A barrister said she had gone to her solicitor in a distressed condition on Monday morning.
The judicial review will sit again on the 1 June.
Assault
Mr Bell, was originally charged with indecent assault but later pleaded guilty to common assault and was convicted although given an absolute discharge.
Lawyers agreed it referred to touching a girl under the chin.
He is now seeking to have that condition quashed, claiming that his guilty plea was not voluntary.
Mr Bell has criticised the actions of the police, the Public Prosecution Service and the magistrate involved.Mr Bell has criticised the actions of the police, the Public Prosecution Service and the magistrate involved.
He has now retired from teaching because of ill health.He has now retired from teaching because of ill health.
His legal action is being supported by his union, the NASUWT.His legal action is being supported by his union, the NASUWT.