Teacher suspended at London school after claims pupil, 10, was ‘punched multiple times’
A teacher at a school in north London has been suspended after claims a 10-year-old pupil was “punched multiple times”.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating allegations that a member of staff at Christ the King Primary School in Islington punched the 10-year-old which resulted in the child needing to receive treatment at A&E.
Sky News has spoken to the father of the 10-year-old involved in the alleged incident.
Charles Etumnu recounted what his son told him happened: “He said he was on a stairwell landing watching a pupil that was getting into trouble.
“He then felt a forceful push from behind. He stumbled and regained balance and said ‘Don’t touch me’.
“The teacher then dragged him to a confined space on the landing and started raining punches on him.
“He was trying to fend them off when other teachers came and pulled them off him. My son then started crying.”
Mr Etumnu’s wife said she was called to the school following the incident.
It was upon collecting him that their son said his chest was hurting.
“He was complaining of pains so my wife took him to A&E. He was restless and so shocked by what happened,” said Mr Etumnu.
Sky News has seen the now rescinded suspension letter issued to the family the same day.
It alleges the child “had been suspended for an act of aggression towards a member of staff”.
It claims the child “injured a member of staff today in the playground” and that he “hit them several times knocking off their glasses” and “pulled a clump of their hair out”.
Mr Etumnu said he did not recognise the language used regarding his son.
“I was really anxious after hearing about what had happened and then when I saw the suspension letter I was completely livid.
“He’s never been in a physical fight with anyone. So why would that happen to my son?
“It felt like they were ganging up against my family.”
The family say within the hour of receiving the emailed letter, the school rescinded the suspension after they said more information had come to light.
Mr Etumnu said they have long ties with the school with previous family members going there and having had positive experiences.
Three of his children, including their 10-year-old, had been enrolled at the school.
But after the alleged handling of the incident Charles and his wife decided to remove them all.
The family say they have tried to distract the 10-year-old and not remind him of the event which they say has traumatised him.
“He’s a lovely boy. He’s curious, loves playing games, just like any 10-year-old child.”
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The Metropolitan Police say they received a report regarding the alleged assault on 10 November.
The claims only became public knowledge on Tuesday after a video released on social media platform TikTok of Charles confronting the deputy headteacher at the school gates went viral with over one million views.
The chair of governors at Christ the King Primary School confirmed the member of staff at the centre of the allegation remains suspended from work.
In a statement to Sky News, James Potts said the school is taking the allegation “extremely seriously”.
“An allegation was made about an incident at the school in November.
“As soon as the allegation was made, we took the matter extremely seriously and took all appropriate actions.
“A member of staff was suspended at the time, pending a full investigation.
“We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police, Islington Council and the Diocese of Westminster.
“As part of our continued partnership with parents, carers and the wider community, we take the safety and well-being of our pupils extremely seriously, and are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst an investigation is ongoing.”
The Metropolitan Police says it has received no reports of any serious injuries following the incident.
It says those involved, along with “several witnesses”, are being spoken to and the investigation is ongoing.
UK
Philip Young appears in Swindon court charged with 56 sexual offences against ex-wife – as five others also charged
A man has appeared in court charged with drugging and raping his ex-wife over a 13-year period.
Philip Young, 49, formerly of Swindon, has been charged with 56 offences, including multiple counts of rape, against Joanne Young.
He is also charged with administering a substance to allow sexual activity, as well as voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images.
Young appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning and spoke only to confirm his name and address.
He declined to enter a plea and was remanded in custody until the next hearing at crown court on 23 January.
Philip Young was remanded in custody
The 49-year-old was taken to court in Swindon on Tuesday morning
Five other men have also been charged with sexual offences against Ms Young between 2010 and 2023. The 48-year-old has waived her legal right to anonymity.
The other men are on bail but are due in the same court at 2pm.
They are: Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. He is a black British national and has been charged with one count of rape and possession of extreme images.
Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed abode. He is a white British national and has been charged with one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching.
Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Swindon. He is a white British national and has been charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching
Richard Wilkins, 61, of Swindon. He is a white British national and has been charged with one count of rape and sexual touching
Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Swindon. He is a British Asian and has been charged with sexual touching.
The alleged offences took place between 2010 and 2023.
A Sandringham photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the Epstein files has resurfaced at a particularly uncomfortable moment for the Royal Family, just days before they gather at the estate for Christmas.
Andrew is set to move to the King’s private Norfolk estate in the next few months, after he was officially stripped of his titles, honours, and his large home on the Windsor estate.
The picture was among the thousands of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice.
It shows Andrew lying across the laps of several women whose faces have been redacted.
Looking on and laughing is Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend.
The photo was taken in the stately saloon room at Sandringham House in Norfolk.
Prince Charles, now King Charles III, in the same room at Sandringham with Prince Edward in 1969. Pic: PA
Although the image is undated, we know Andrew organised a shooting weekend in 2000 for Ghislaine’s birthday.
It is a picture of intimate access to the inner royal sanctum.
Sandringham is a private royal retreat, and no one is invited here by chance.
Royal biographer, Andrew Lownie, said royal residences were used as “party places” by Andrew.
Andrew at the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate in 2022. Pic: Reuters
“Epstein and Ghislaine took advantage of this,” he said. “They went to Balmoral, Sandringham and Windsor … This showed people just how close they were to the Royal Family.”
There’s no suggestion the wider family knew Epstein, but the timing is deeply awkward. This week Sandringham will once again host the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas gathering.
And the King will deliver his Christmas message to the country and Commonwealth.
Andrew isn’t invited to Sandringham and will be spending Christmas elsewhere. The Norfolk estate will soon become his new home; it’s understood the move will happen in the first quarter of next year.
A photo of the King at Sandringham released to mark his 77th birthday last month. Pic: @MilliePilks/Sandringham Estate
For years, Andrew let Epstein and Maxwell into his privileged world.
They were guests at the 18th birthday party of his daughter, Princess Beatrice.
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Another photo released in the files shows Andrew, Epstein and Maxwell at Royal Ascot, a firm fixture in the royal calendar.
Epstein and his former girlfriend are also photographed at another shooting party, possibly at Balmoral.
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell hunting, date unknown. Pic: US DOJ
We know the pair were once guests at the Scottish castle, pictured in the same lodge loved by the late Queen.
Mr Lownie said the pair enjoyed “extraordinary” access.
“It just shows how close Andrew was to them… for them to be socialising in these very private residences,” he added.
Andrew’s association with Epstein has cost him his royal roles, titles, and his beloved home.
He has always strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Sandringham Estate, Norfolk. Pic: PA
The images and documents released and revealed in the Epstein files contain graphic and traumatic content.
It is harrowing and retraumatising for Epstein’s victims.
And what continues to shock – is how a man like Jeffrey Epstein had proximity to the Royal Family. And why Andrew let it happen and stayed friends with him.
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