School worker cleared of assaulting pupil

A colleague insisted she was horrified to see Adeoluwa Bankole punch a teenager in his charge.
But on Thursday, October 9, Newbury magistrates ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict the 38-year-old, who had never been in trouble before.
Priors Court is an independent special school for children and young people with autism aged from five to 19 years.
At the start of the trial Sarita Bazra, prosecuting, told magistrates: “In interview, this defendant denied hitting the aggrieved and said he had prayed for him that night. But I’m going to prove to you, so that you are sure, that there was unlawful application of violence.”
She called school support worker Louise Jane Burke, who testified that on the day in question, she had seen Mr Bankole walking in the school grounds with the teenager.
Ms Burke told magistrates: “He was close behind (the teenager), almost touching. I saw a push, then two punches in quick succession to his back. (The teenager) jolted forward. I was shocked - I honestly felt sick. I’ve never felt like that before.”
The court heard that Ms Burke turned to a colleague in the room and told her what she had seen.
That colleague, teaching assistant Toni Barrett, told magistrates: “Louise looked really ashen and said: ‘I’ve just seen that man punch (the teenager).’ I said ‘Bloody hell, you’ll have to report that.’”
Mr Bankole, who lives in Crowthorne Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, denied one charge of assault by beating on February 7 this year.
Giving evidence, he vehemently denied any wrong doing.
He described how the teenager had become agitated and upset, stating that he had taken him outside to calm him.
Mr Bankole spoke fondly of the boy and added: “I loved working with him.”
He said he had taken hold of the boy “to safeguard him” from self-harming and added: “He scratched my hand with his nails - there was lots of blood. I jumped back and he moved towards a metal wall; I held him away, quickly getting hold of him.”
Ms Basra, cross examining, insisted: “In the heat of the moment, when he scratched you, you punched him twice.”
Mr Bankole replied: “No. Not at all. I wouldn’t do that.”
Andrew Port, defending, pointed to alleged discrepancies in the witnesses’ account of which window they had been looking from
He reminded magistrates that Mr Bankole was a man of impeccable character and was entitled to have his sworn testimony treated accordingly.
After retiring to consider their verdict, magistrates declared Mr Bankole was innocent of the single charge.
Afterwards, school director of care services, Sarah Butcher, said: "We took this incident very seriously, as we do all matters involving the welfare of our young people whose safety is of paramount importance.
"The member of staff was suspended immediately following the allegation in accordance with our policies and procedures. In the period leading up to the Court hearing we worked with and communicated with all appropriate individuals and organisations; our senior management team liaised closely with the West Berkshire Safeguarding and the police.
"The young person has been fully supported and the family of the young person have been kept informed and supported throughout this process. We acknowledge the Court verdict and are glad that the matter was taken seriously. Prior’s Court will now be undertaking an internal investigation process.
Prior’s Court is committed to safeguarding and considers the welfare of the children and young people within its care to be of paramount importance. As a specialist provision for children and young adults with autism, learning difficulties and complex needs, the vulnerability of the young people means that safeguarding and child protection are given a very strong emphasis.
"We would like to emphasise that rigorous procedures are in place, training on safeguarding and child protection is a priority for all staff regardless of their role and safer recruitment practices are strictly adhered to. "