THE jury in the pupil assault trial of teacher Garth Sutcliffe was today due to continue trying to reach a verdict.

After deliberating for almost four hours the jury members were deadlocked yesterday and Judge Peter Openshaw told them they should return to the case in the morning.

Sutcliffe, 56, of St James Street, Clitheroe, denies one charge of assault causing actual bodily harm against a pupil at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

The prosecution claimed Sutcliffe, who has taught at the school for 32 years, took hold of the boy by the shirt collar, causing bruising and abrasions to his neck.

The court heard that the 14-year-old pupil, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, fainted after the alleged incident and was off school for two days with a headache.

Mr Peter Turner, defending, said Sutcliffe had merely taken hold of the boy by the back of his shirt to reprimand him for messing around during his lesson.

(Proceeding)