All four male paedophiles detained on suspicion of child cruelty in connection with Life Wirral school have been granted conditional release.
Detectives investigating child abuse accusations at the Life Wirral school arrested four men this week. On July 4, Merseyside Police announced that a 50-year-old man from Birkenhead had been arrested on suspicion of child cruelty. He was detained for questioning but has since been granted conditional bail.
On July 3, Merseyside Police announced that a 43-year-old male from Meols, a 21-year-old man from Wallasey, and a 26-year-old man from Irby had also been detained. They were also hauled into custody to be interviewed before being granted conditional bail.
Life Wirral, an independent SEND school located on Victoria Road in Wallasey, made national headlines last month following an undercover investigation by BBC Panorama. The study, dubbed Cruelty in the Classroom, involved an undercover reporter posing as a work experience student.
The independent school was overseen by the Department for Education and Ofsted, but it also received more than £2.2 million from Wirral Council. During an emergency inspection requested in response to concerns about the school, Ofsted rated it “good” and found no faults.
Before the show aired, Wirral Council wrote letters to parents and headteachers, as well as a response to the BBC, after immediately withdrawing pupils from the school.
In one letter to a headteacher, Assistant Director for Education James Backhouse stated that the council began a sophisticated abuse inquiry with Merseyside Police after the BBC contacted them.
An independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) will also look into when the issues originally arose and provide recommendations at both the local and national levels.
In an early statement in response to the BBC documentary, LIFE Wirral attacked the corporation, claiming it of behaving in a “highly irresponsible manner” and “putting the interests of a television programme ahead of the interests of vulnerable children”.
The school accused the undercover reporter of “failing in her basic safeguarding duties to report significant concerns,” stating that her activities endangered more vulnerable children for longer periods of time. The BBC has strenuously denied these allegations.
Life Wirral has stuck by its assertions, but has since amended its original statement to apologise to any students and families affected by the attitude of staff depicted in the Panorama series.
A spokeswoman for the school stated, “LIFE Wirral does not condone the behaviour of a small fraction of staff whose acts were broadcast on last night’s BBC Panorama programme. We are genuinely worried for our kids and their families, and we sincerely regret to everyone affected.”
In response, the BBC stated that it takes problems of safeguarding and protection of vulnerable individuals very seriously and has stringent editorial guidelines governing undercover investigations, hidden recording, and investigations involving children.
“Our inquiry was clearly in the public interest, and the wellbeing of the children involved was our top priority. Our undercover reporter gathered evidence over time to ensure that what she witnessed revealed a clear pattern of activity involving numerous members of staff and in accordance with the concerns made with us.
“Prior to our investigation, the local authority and the school were already aware of safeguarding concerns raised by others; nonetheless, despite the local authority’s investigation, no substantial change had occurred.
“In contrast, when we told the local authority about the findings of our investigation, the placements at the school were suspended and new places are being found elsewhere for the children.”
UPDATE 19.11.24
A man has been sentenced to 12 weeks’ jail for offences of child cruelty at an independent school in Wirral.
Elliot Millar of Liscard pleaded guilty to five offences at Wirral Magistrates Court on 9 October and was sentenced on 18 November at Liverpool Crown Court.
Merseyside Police launched an investigation after the BBC aired undercover footage from Life Wirral school on 17 June. The probe led to several arrests, with three men charged on 20 September.
The court was told that footage was given to Merseyside Police after undercover reporter Sasha Hinde spent seven weeks working at the school in New Brighton.
The footage showed Elliot Millar drawing a penis on a while a woman, described as management, was seen to walk past.
The victim said in a court-read statement that he felt “embarrassed” in front of his classmates.
Elliot Millar also placed two pupils in headlocks and pretended to punch and kick one of them, the court was told.
The family of one of the three boys assaulted by Elliot Millar said, “Even though he was mistreated badly, he thought it was the norm.”
In his sentencing remarks, 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.”
UPDATE 05.01.24
This is the face of the man who enabled the child abuse at Life Wirral school, his name is Paul Hamill and he was the Head of Operations at the school and was aware and encouraged all the abuse that took place:
This is the CEO of Life Wirral School Alastair Saverimutto who took all the money that should have gone to employing proper school staff and providing funds for support of the SEND pupils on his Family Businesses instead. The filthy animal did not care about the vulnerable children and was only interested in making money for him and his family:
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.