OLIVE PRESS
The FREE
Grooming cover up TEACHERS are outraged that no proper investigation was made over the grooming a 16-year-old student that led on to a lesbian relationship with. The NASUWT teachers union in Gibraltar is ‘shocked over the failure by the Department of Education to ensure that safeguarding standards were applied accordingly’. Colleagues had repeatedly reported their suspicions that a supply teacher in her late 20s was carrying out ‘inappropriate conduct’ with the teenager at the all-girl Westside School in 2019. While the issue was taken seriously by senior management, who reported it to the Department of Education, the claims went no further. The teacher was not reported to police and was instead offered another contract at a junior school. “We want to know why it wasn’t reported to the police at the time and a proper investigation carried out,” union boss Charlie Bishop told the Olive Press.
Suspicions
“At the time fellow teachers had suspicions and carried out the correct safeguarding measures by reporting it to higher authorities, but the whole issue was quietly covered up.” The affair has only come to light after the government released a statement with the conclusions of an independent investigation which ruled there had been a clear case of ‘grooming’. An ‘exhaustive’ review chaired by Gillian Guzman QC concluded that, during 2019 and 2020, the teacher’s behaviour gave way to ‘inappropriate feelings’ and ignored the student’s wellbeing. It adds that she broke safeguarding protocols, codes of conduct and child protection policies - as well as her own position of trust. The government has now released a statement ruling that the teacher ‘ignored the well-being of a vulnerable student’ and ‘inappropriately’ groomed her. “She broke safeguarding protocols, codes of conduct, child protection policies and the teacher‘s position of trust,” it said. “The teacher‘s conduct was regarded as significantly disturbing, wholly unprofessional and brought the teaching profession into disrepute.” The Olive Press has learnt that the investigation was commissioned by the government following considerable pressure from the parents of the student.
Vol. 6 Issue 161
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November 17th - November 30th 2021
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Unbelieva-bull
GANG BATTLE
Gun fired and man mown down as nine arrested after warfare breaks out between rival youths
A STREET brawl between rival gangs has led to the arrest of nine people, including a minor. A gun was discharged during the fighting over the weekend, which has led to special measures being called for by the government. Described as a ‘revenge attack’, the battle began at the Bahia Bar, near Ocean Village on Saturday evening. Video footage recorded by witnesses overlooking the Waterport roundabout captured the brawl which showed men spilling out of the pub and fighting in the street.
Revenge
One person threw a chair at a passing car while another was seen brandishing a gun. Banned In the most shocking part a man is seen beThey felt the relationship could have ing mown down by a car outside. been stopped if appropriate action “There were assaults, violent disorder and was taken at the time. cars were being driven in an extremely danInstead, the daughter now aged 18 gerous manner,” an RGP spokesman told no longer speaks to her parents and the Olive Press. “Officers were immediately deployed and Continues on Page 5 two individuals required hospital attention. “Within an hour of the start of the incident, at least five arrests had been made. “The RGP are grateful for See page 11 & 16 the video evidence which has already been made available.” He added: “This was a pretty big incident for Gi-
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BAD COP
GIBRALTAR
By Fiona Govan
braltar and has caused quite a stir. “It’s the sort of crime that would be unremarkable in most towns across the UK on a Saturday night but it’s not the sort of thing we are used to here.” According to sources the incident was a ‘revenge attack’ in response to a fight that had broken out the night before. Among those arrested was a 16-yearold who appeared in court on Monday charged with various crimes including violent disorder, possession of a weapon and resisting police. Mark Macias, 30, meanwhile was charged with discharging a firearm; violent disorder; possession of a prohibited weapon; possession of cannabis and resisting police.
Furious
Callum Brayson, 18, was charged with causing harm by furious driving; driving without insurance; driving without a licence and violent disorder Luie Gaivizo, 27, has been charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. Daniel Bates, 20, has been charged with violent disorder. All of them are resident in Gibraltar and four, including the 16-year-old, were remanded in custody.
FIGHT: The brawl was caught on camera
A further four individuals were arrested on Monday in connection with the incident. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said he would convene a meeting of the Gibraltar Contingency Council ‘to seek assurances about ensuring the safety and security of our streets’. Picardo insisted: “A small group of thugs won’t change the character of our community.”