School play ends in violence
NZPA AAP London A primary school’s production of “Wind in the Willows” ended with two teachers being beaten by parents, Lincoln Crown Court was told recently. The unscripted finale erupted after Richard Devonport, aged nine, was “ticked off for being naughty” while playing in the orchestra. His mother, Brenda, was so angry that she took him home in mid-production, and returned with her husband, John. Mediation did not resolve the dispute. The court was told that Brenda Devenport punched Miss Jennifer
Oughton, the music teacher, in the face. The head teacher, Mr Trevor Thompson, tried to intervene, but he was pulled by the hair so hard that a clump fell. out. John Devonpo'rt then tried to knee him in the face as his wife, Brenda, hit him on the head. The dispute ended abruptly when a cameraman who was videoing the play hit Devonport four times over the head with the camera tripod, putting him in hospital for three days. The Lincoln judge ordered the parents to pay the teachers £3OO compensation.
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Press, 14 March 1987, Page 32
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177School play ends in violence Press, 14 March 1987, Page 32
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