Pupil claims he was 'launched' downstairs by teacher and owner
An Island man and a school head ‘launched’ a student down a set of stairs at a South Cumbria boarding school, a court has heard.
The claim was made to jurors during the trial of four men accused of historic physical assaults on students at Underley Hall near Kirkby Lonsdale during the 1970s and 1980s.
Former school owner, 77 year-old Derrick Cooper of Hillberry Green in Douglas, denies six charges alleging actual bodily harm assault and two child cruelty allegations.
One ex-pupil told Carlisle Crown Court of an alleged assault involving then headmaster Errol Mayer and the former owner Derrick Cooper.
In evidence, the witness admitted he had spray-painted an anagram of his initials in an off-limits area of the school.
The next day he said he encountered Mr Cooper and Mr Mayer, who has been deemed unfit to stand trial.
The boy claimed he was asked about the graffiti and carried to the office.
He admitted he was resisting and kicking and, when they reached the top of the stairs, he was thrown down them, recalling a ‘feeling of panic’.
When it was suggested under cross-examination by Peter Wright QC, for Cooper, that the incident didn't happen, the witness replied: ‘Everything I can remember is the truth’.
The trial continues.
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