‘Bullying’ sports coach drew penis on student’s face at school where he worked

Elliot Millar got a job at Life Wirral Sports School without having any training

A sports coach who drew a penis in a student’s face at the school where he worked has been sentenced to prison. Elliot Millar punched students and placed them in a headlock while working at Life Wirral Sports School in New Brighton.

He allegedly only started working at the establishment the day after an ‘informal’ interview with the director, without having undergone any training. A judge today called his actions ‘horribly inappropriate’ and ‘downright bullying’.

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard this morning on Monday that undercover reporter Sasha Hinde worked as a staff member at the independent school for pupils with special educational needs for seven weeks until May 24 this year. Videos filmed by the journalist were then broadcast as part of a BBC Panorama documentary, with the unedited footage passed to Merseyside Police.

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Matthew Dixon, prosecuting, outlined how Millar was seen in one clip attacking a student who was sitting at a table using his laptop with his headphones in. The 21-year-old, of Bradman Close in Liscard, was seen “approaching from behind and punching him in the neck”.

When the boy stood up, the employee placed him “in a headlock.” The student was left with a small scratch on his neck, which he sustained while trying to pull away from the hold.

In a second attack on the same victim, Millar feigned a punch and a kick towards him. Then on April 23, the suspect approached another boy from behind, pulled him back and pulled a penis in his face.

On another occasion he allegedly placed a student in a headlock. Millar was also accused of assaulting Ms Hinde when the pair were in the staff room together, at which stage he began re-enacting an incident and “slapped a punch on the reporter’s face, narrowly missing her and frightening her for immediate violence”.

Footage of two of the attacks that took place in the classroom was played in court, with a woman described in court as “management” walking past as Millar drew the crude graffiti on his victim’s face. In a statement read to the court on their behalf, one of the boys’ families said: ‘Even though he was treated badly, he thought this was the norm.’

Anthony Nelson, defending, told the court: ‘Every parent, every child who attended Life School had a realistic expectation that their child would be in professional, capable and caring hands. That was not the case from top to bottom.

“This type of behavior was endemic in the school, common in the school and the norm in the school. It is completely outrageous and a local scandal. My client is not trying to excuse his behavior at all.

“He is having problems with the loss of his fiancée. He regrets it very much. He has extremely intelligent and remorseful parents. They are heartbroken and I don’t think they have slept a night since they found out about these things.

“Mr Millar is vulnerable. He himself has ADHD and it was completely inappropriate to be cast in this role. He was interviewed very informally by the director and started work the next day and received no training or guidance. It is no excuse for his behavior, but perhaps explains it.

“None of these kids have done anything to encourage this kind of activity. They were all completely flawless. He is deeply remorseful. He’s never had any problems before. He has had two difficult years. It’s not an excuse for his behavior. is a complete breach of trust and he accepts that.

“He’s had a hard time locally. He’s had abuse, he’s had threats. Of course that comes with the territory.”

Millar, who has no previous convictions, admitted four counts of assault and threatening behaviour. When he appeared in the dock, wearing a black suit over a white shirt and gray tie, he was jailed for 12 weeks as his parents sat in tears in the public gallery.

Sentencing, District Judge James Hatton said: “This is a serious but I accept an unusual case because it was brought to light through an investigation by an undercover reporter. If that investigation has not taken place, one can only speculate whether the behavior exhibited in this case could well continue unabated.

‘You admitted the offenses from the start when you were questioned by the police. I also take into account your age and relative immaturity.

“I have read numerous character references and a report detailing your obvious remorse. It describes your background, including your diagnosis of ADHD and how it has affected you at different stages of your life, and the difficulties you have had following the tragic event. and the untimely death of your fiancée.

“I am less impressed by elements of your mitigation which, I believe, attempt to attribute your behavior to systemic and endemic behavior that may have been present at the school. Your behavior was your responsibility.

“It would be obvious to anyone that your behavior was horribly inappropriate and nothing short of cruel bullying. There have been a number of different attacks. You were clearly in a position of trust.

“In one case, you drew a penis on a student’s face, causing needless humiliation to your victim. While I recognize your lack of convictions and positive reports about your usual character and behavior, these offenses are so serious and the aggravating features are so grim that only by imposing immediate custody can I receive an appropriate sentence.”