An angry Dorset mum assaulted a teacher at her daughter's school when she went to complain about bullying.
Charlene Wicks, 34, of Woodlands, Wimborne, Dorset, admitted charges of assault by beating and using threatening behaviour when she appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday, 13th November 2020.
Assault by beating, an offence contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody on summary conviction. Using threatening behaviour, an offence contrary to section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986, has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
The court heard that Wicks visited Cranborne Middle School in the belief she had been "fobbed off" in relation to complaints she had made about her daughter being bullied.
She barged through the school's reception area wanting to speak face to face with music teacher Nicola Jennings, but her way was blocked by assistant head teacher Rebecca Cain.
Richard Oakley, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances of the offences, which took place during a normal school day on Friday, 29th November 2019.
"The defendant attended the school with the intention of speaking to one of the teachers, Miss Jennings," Mr Oakley said.
"She entered the school premises despite being told not to and went looking for her. Other members of staff became involved trying to stop her.
"As the defendant approached the music room she (Mrs Cain) stood in front of the door trying to stop her from going in.
"She assaulted her by pushing on her arms to try to get her out of the way.
"She was very aggressive, shouting, and her body language was aggressive. Two members of staff physically had to put themselves between Miss Jennings and the defendant."
According to reports, Wicks shouted abuse at Miss Jennings as pupils watched on.
Mr Oakley read victim impact statements by both teachers.
In her statement, Miss Cain said: "When I went home it was still playing on my mind, I kept thinking about the fact this happened in front of children.
"It has changed my view of my work place and how safe it is. The incident has badly dented my confidence."
Miss Jennings' statement said: "I have always told our children school is a safe place to be. But Mrs Wicks has totally shattered my belief.
"During the incident I was shocked. I remember feeling disorientated trying to get away from her.
"I was scared for my safety, I was still shaking that evening when I got home."
Terry Scanlan, mitigating, said: "(Wicks) seeks to apologise for her behaviour that day. She expresses her shame and her regret that any distress was caused by her actions.
"At the time this incident happened her daughter had been the victim of persistent bullying."
Mr Scanlan went on to say that his client had contacted the school on several occasions, but really didn't think her concerns were being taken seriously.
She had contacted the school by telephone that morning, but was dissatisfied with the response she received.
"She decided to go into the school to speak to this teacher face to face. That was unwise, she accepts that now," said Mr Scanlan.
"This was completely out of character for her. She's a respectable, settled housewife. She lives in a rural location, is mother to three children and her husband is a landscape gardener."
Magistrates ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case until December.
Cranborne Middle School, which is rated good by Ofsted, has around 400 pupils aged between 9 and 13 years old.
Obviously the bench eventually sentencing this case will be privy to far more information than can ever be gleaned from newspaper reports. They will also carefully consider the points raised by the Probation Service in the completed pre-sentence report.
Committing any offence on school premises is a seriously aggravating factor, even more so when children are present and witness what is happening. Conversely the assault was at the minor end of the spectrum, Wicks appears to be of good previous character and she seems to have acted on impulse with emotions running high.
The court will want to impose a sentence that conveys the message that assaulting and verbally abusing school staff on school premises is in no way acceptable.
The offences in totality may be serious enough to justify a community order, which would probably be weighted towards the punitive element, but if the court accepts this was an isolated one off, as appears to be the case, then it might be persuaded to impose a hefty financial penalty as an alternative.
We'll give an update once Wicks is sentenced.
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