Sports coach jailed after 'cruel bullying' of pupils at special needs school when he drew penis on student's face

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard that the 21-year-old began working at the establishment just a day after the “informal” interview with the headteacher.

Millar, who received no training prior to his appointment, was recorded by an undercover reporter who was employed as a member of staff at the school in Wallasey.

Sasha Hinde spent seven weeks as an employee at the establishment, and the footage she captured was later shared as part of a BBC Panorama documentary.

In one instance, the 21-year-old pulled back a child’s head and drew a penis on his face. Meanwhile, a woman described as being “management” was seen to walk past.

The victim had said the situation had left him “embarrassed” in front of his classmates.

District Judge James Hatton said: “It would be obvious to anyone that your conduct was hideously inappropriate and nothing short of cruel bullying.

MORE LIKE THIS:

• Fraudulent Girl Guides leaders jailed after stealing £450K in gift aid scam
• Bungling burglar jailed after leaving trail of own blood during break-in spree
• Man jailed after stabbing train station staff member in back

“You were clearly in a position of trust. One case involved you drawing a penis onto the face of a pupil.

“That involved gratuitous degradation of your victim.”

In another clip, the 21-year-old can be seen placing two students in a headlock, before feigning a punch and kick at one of them.

He was also charged with assaulting Hinde, when he “threw a punch in the reporter's face, narrowly missing her and causing her to fear immediate violence”. The two were in the staffroom together.

Miller was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, with the judge calling his actions “hideously inappropriate” and “nothing short of bullying”.

Sentencing Millar, District Judge James Hatton said: “This is a serious, but I accept unusual, case because it was brought to light by an investigation by an undercover reporter.

“One can only speculate if that investigation had not occurred whether the behaviour demonstrated in this case may well have carried on unabated.”

Anthony Nelson, defending, said Millar had ADHD himself and was "utterly inappropriate" for his role at the school.

He said: “He was interviewed by the principal very informally and started work the next day and had no training or guidance.

“It does not excuse his conduct, but perhaps explains it.”