Special Needs School Coach Imprisoned for Pupil Abuse Revealed by Investigation

A sports coach from a special educational needs institution received a jail sentence for his “cruel bullying” after engaging in headlocks with pupils. This misconduct came to light following an investigation by BBC Panorama. The Life Wirral independent school also saw some of its staff members recorded by an undercover journalist, showing them manhandling students and employing offensive and homophobic remarks. Elliott Millar, aged 21, was observed pulling a boy’s head backward before drawing a penis on his face, as presented in court. He received a 12-week prison sentence at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, having admitted guilt to assaulting three students. The court was informed that video evidence was provided to Merseyside Police after undercover reporter Sasha Hinde worked as an employee at the Wallasey school for seven weeks, concluding in May. During Millar’s sentencing, District Judge James Hatton stated: “This is a serious, but I accept unusual, case because it was brought to light by an investigation by an undercover reporter.” He further commented: “One can only speculate if that investigation had not occurred whether the behaviour demonstrated in this case may well have carried on unabated.” The video depicting Millar drawing on the boy’s face was presented in court, where a woman identified as management was observed passing by. A statement from the victim, read aloud in court, conveyed that he felt “embarrassed” before his peers. Judge Hatton remarked: “It would be obvious to anyone that your conduct was hideously inappropriate and nothing short of cruel bullying.” He added: “You were clearly in a position of trust. One case involved you drawing a penis onto the face of a pupil. “That involved gratuitous degradation of your victim.”” The court was informed that he placed two students in headlocks and also simulated punching and kicking one of them. A statement from the family of one of the three boys assaulted by Millar read: “Even though he was mistreated badly, he thought it was the norm.” Millar also faced a charge of common assault against Ms Hinde, occurring in the staffroom when he reenacted an event. Anthony Nelson, representing Millar, stated that Millar has ADHD and was “utterly inappropriate” for his position at the school. Nelson elaborated: “He was interviewed by the principal very informally and started work the next day and had no training or guidance. “It does not excuse his conduct, but perhaps explains it.”” He added that such behavior was “endemic” and “the norm” within the school, which has since ceased operations following the documentary’s broadcast. Millar, residing at Bradman Close, Liscard, Wirral, had previously entered a guilty plea to two charges of common assault, two charges of assault by beating, and one charge of using threatening and abusive words or behavior likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.