Former school welfare officer brought legally held firearm to school, it is claimed
Sex offender Neil Beckett has been branded a “fantasist, predator and manipulator” by a staff member who worked him at Lagan College.
Last week the jury returned verdicts on all the charges at Belfast Crown Court. Beckett was acquitted of the rape charge, of sexual communication with a child and ten counts of sexual abuse. One complainant said during the trial said that she believed a threat Beckett allegedly made against her and her family, she believed as he had access to guns.
The staff member said: “I am glad that he has finally been convicted after everything he has put these girls through during the five week trial and I’m appalled that he appeared to show no remorse for what he has done and actually seemed to be enjoying his moment in the limelight arriving at court like he was dressed for a wedding.
“This is something I cannot understand was permitted in any way because if the police visited the school we would ask them not to bring any kind of weapons with them. There are serious questions to be answered about how this whole issue has been handled as he remained at the school for months after the first allegation was highlighted to the school, who should have reported him to the police.
“We were also taken back by him saying that he wanted his door open because his role meant that he would have to help children when they were unwell or needed first aid assistance and at times would require privacy. Nearly all the doors also have a window that you can see through and his was the only one that had a small blind that would allow for further privacy.”
PSNI Co Down South Belfast Education In The News
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