A FORMER headteacher accused of gross indecency with a pupil was cleared by a jury in just 11 minutes.

James Bird, who worked at St Peter’s CofE Primary School, in Accrington, had been charged with four counts of assaulting the young boy on ‘seven or eight occasions’ Continued n 5 From P1 more than a decade ago.

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The pupil had claimed the attacks happened after he had been sent out of lessons for bad behaviour.

But yesterday, a jury at Preston Crown Court cleared Mr Bird of all of the charges in just a few minutes after more than three days of evidence.

Mr Bird, 53, had always denied the allegations.

The speed of the jury’s verdicts led some to question whether a prosecution should have ever been brought.

Speaking after the hearing, Rev David Lyon, who gave a character reference as part of Mr Bird’s defence case, said: “The jury was only out a few minutes, so clearly it did not take them long to make a decision.

“I wonder why this case was brought.

“But I am delighted for Mr Bird and I am very pleased indeed that he has been exonerated.

“He can get on with his life now.”

During the trial, the jury was told by the complainant that Mr Bird would take him from the corridor if he had been sent out a lesson for bad behaviour to his office, where he would force him to perform oral sex on him.

The claims were branded ‘unbelievable’ by Rev Lyon, a vicar at St Annes Parish Church who was chairman of governors at St Peter’s and had worked closely with the defendant for several years.

Donald Heaps, retired headteacher of Baxenden Primary School, where Mr Bird was previously deputy, also told the court how his colleague was ‘honest and trustworthy’.

He told the jurors: “He was an excellent deputy head and was well-respected by the staff and pupils, parents and school.

“He worked hard and was honest and trustworthy.”

Mr Bird, of Acorn Close, Leyland, had most recently been teaching at Newton Bluecoat CofE Primary School, near Preston, but was suspended when the allegations against him were made.

Speaking after the hearing, Tim Walker, chair of governors at the School Lane school, said Mr Bird’s future would soon be discussed.

He said: “We are aware that Mr Bird has been cleared on all four counts.

“I, along with human resources staff from Lancashire County Council and the Diocese of Blackburn, will meet with Mr Bird in due course to discuss the future.”

Det Con Karen Parker from the public protection unit at Lancashire Police, said all claims of sexual abuse were taken seriously and that any potential victims would get help from specially-trained officers.

She said: “Whilst we are disappointed with the outcome of this trial, we of course respect the decision of the jury and I would like to thank them for their consideration of this case.

“Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating allegations of sexual offences, no matter how historic, and no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.”

A spokeswoman for the CPS said: “The jury have had an opportunity over the course of the trial to hear and fully consider both the prosecution and the defence cases and we of course respect the verdicts they have reached.

“We take all allegations of sexual offences very seriously and in all cases the evidence presented to the CPS by the police is reviewed carefully by specialist prosecutors.”