Douglas man denies allegations
A former South Cumbria boarding school pupil has told a jury he was ‘slapped’ across the head and sent ‘flying’ by the then owner.
The latest of several historical allegations against Douglas man Derrick Cooper - all of which he denies – were made at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday (Monday).
Seventy-seven year-old Mr Cooper of Hillberry Green denies six charges alleging actual bodily harm assault and two child cruelty allegations.
Yesterday in court, an ex-pupil - the 12th witness called by the prosecution - told jurors he arrived at Underley Hall School in 1984 when aged 11 or 12, admitting he wasn’t badly behaved but did get into mischief.
He described one incident when he was ‘messing about in the corridor’ and the defendant came out of his living quarters, slapping him across the head, the force of which sent him flying into the wall and bust his nose.
Under cross-examination, the witness denied a suggestion he had given contradictory accounts about the alleged criminal conduct towards him.
However, he agreed he never saw any other students being assaulted by staff.
Mr Cooper is one of four men accused of physical assaults on students during the 1970s and 1980s.
The trial, which is in its fourth week, continues.
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