THIRD MAN JAILED FOR ABUSE AT WIRRAL SCHOOL AFTER UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION
A third individual has been prosecuted in connection with abuse at a school located in Wirral.Oliver Nugent, aged 27 and a resident of Irby, has pleaded guilty to assault by beating following an investigation by Panorama which uncovered bullying and assaults on students at the LIFE School in New Brighton.
Nugent was sentenced to 12 weeks' imprisonment, which was suspended for a year, during a hearing at Sefton Magistrates' Court.
Prior to this, two other men had already been prosecuted as part of the same investigation.
Nugent was also ordered to undertake 25 days of rehabilitation, complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay a fine of £200.
The investigation was initiated after a BBC undercover reporter, Sasha Hinde, worked at the school for around seven weeks and recorded multiple incidents that led to the airing of the documentary 'Panorama: Cruelty in the Classroom' on June 17, 2024.
The footage and evidence gathered led to arrests and charges against three individuals.
Elliot Millar, aged 22 from Liscard, Wallasey, pleaded guilty to five charges including assault and threatening behavior, and was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail.
He was described as having engaged in 'cruel bullying' and 'gratuitous degradation' of pupils.
Daniel McNulty-Doyle, aged 22 from Little Neston, was convicted of using threatening language and fined £250 plus £50 compensation for the victim.
The case highlighted how these offenders exploited the vulnerabilities of students with additional needs for their own entertainment, betraying the trust placed in the school to provide high standards of care.
The investigation further revealed that the actions of these men would have continued unchecked had it not been for the covert recordings by the reporter.
The Crown Prosecutor emphasized the importance of the evidence in bringing justice and thanked the victims and their families for their support.
