Former pupils lose claim for damages over school bullying

Two former pupils who suffered years of physical and verbal abuse at their comprehensive school lost their claim for damages yesterday.

Caroline Newby and Jamie Bright, now aged 20, accused the county council and school governors at Shotton Hall in Peterlee, Co Durham, of failing to protect them.

Recorder Julian Goose QC ruled on the fifth day of the case at Teesside County Court that, although both had suffered during their time at the 1,200-pupil school, the defendants had not been negligent.

The court was told Miss Newby was spat at, shunned and verbally abused by a gang of girls. Mr Bright was beaten unconscious on one occasion. The claimants who each sought £25,000 damages for the psychological suffering as well as the loss of future earnings, urged other children to come forward and tell teachers if they were being bullied.

Diane Brough, their solicitor, said afterwards: "They have no regrets about bringing the claims. The judge found there were serious and sustained incidents of bullying and both claimants are pleased the public will have the opportunity to see what has been going on at the school and draw their own conclusions. Their advice to other children who are suffering bullying would be to learn by their mistakes and report it promptly, name names and ensure the school does something there and then to assist them."

Philip Cramer, barrister for the claimants, was refused permission to appeal against the decision but was given 28 days' notice to file an appeal to a higher court.