SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER JAILED FOR CHILD CRUELTY IN SUNDERLAND
A teacher specializing in special needs education has been found guilty of physically and verbally abusing autistic children under his care.Malcolm Phillips, aged 51, was convicted of nine charges of child cruelty involving four children aged between ten and 15.
The court heard that Phillips subjected the children to cruel treatment, including feeding them chilli peppers on several occasions, pushing and slapping a child, hitting two children on the head, standing on a child's ponytail, and even sitting on her head.
During the trial, it was revealed that Phillips referred to the children as "numbnuts" and "muppets".
The prosecution, led by John Evans, stated that as a senior teacher at the school since 1992, Phillips was responsible for subjecting some of the children to physical and verbal abuse.
Staff members eventually came forward with complaints, leading to his arrest.
Phillips showed no emotion as the jury reached their guilty verdicts.
Newcastle Crown Court has adjourned the case until Friday for sentencing, with the judge noting that custody remains a possibility.
