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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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A Horowhenua teacher
acquitted on four charges of indecent assault says he is passionate about
teaching and expects to return to the job next year. After deliberating for
12 hours, a jury at the Palmerston North District Court found Michael Neville
not guilty of indecently assaulting four girls under the age of 12, who had
claimed the teacher touched them in class. Neville's family and
supporters cheered as each of the verdicts was read. After the decision,
Neville said he felt alive again following the 17-month ordeal. His brother, Tony
Neville, was among the 30 people who crowded into the courtroom to hear the
verdict. He says male teachers around But supporters are
critical of the police investigation. In the middle of last
year parents were given an investigation outline by police. It said a sexual
assault had taken place, yet at that stage no charges had been laid against
Neville. "I think they
basically ran a campaign as opposed to an objective, impartial assessment of
what was going on," says supporter Ian McIntosh. Helen McIntosh says
police seemed determined to find something. "Like the hotline
on the radio that there had been charges against Neville, and if you had any
complaints to ring up the hotline." Levin police say their
investigation was professional and thorough. The court heard Neville
was highly respected by parents and teachers as having a knack of getting the
best out of young children. "It was always
what you do with kids, give them a hug you know, give them a pat on the
back," says Helen McIntosh. Two of the
complainants, both girls aged under 12, claimed Neville had touched them on
their genitals. One said he touched her
"in places you're not supposed to" and said "he apologised to
me the next morning". But the assistant
principal gave evidence that neither of the girls could be relied on to tell
the truth. Neville's school is now
deciding whether he will get his job back. |
