The Attorney General’s Chambers issued the immediate release to RTC News concerning Lloyd Fearon.
The Attorney General’s Chambers has reviewed the police investigation involving the Principal of Clement Howell School, Mr. Lloyd Fearon.
It is the opinion of the Attorney General, in the exercise of powers under section 39 of the Constitution, that it is not in the public interest to institute criminal proceedings against Lloyd Fearon.
This decision has been reached following a full investigation of the facts and circumstances; including the background of a highly volatile and disruptive gathering of students, the lack of intent to cause injury on the part of Mr. Fearon, and the requirement on him to maintain order and discipline in a hostile environment,
Background/rationale for decision
- Clement Howell School has a student population of over a thousand students. There are at least six security personnel employed at the school to keep order and to carry out searches of students, as required.
- On February 8, 2012 a violent fight broke out attracting over a hundred students to observe, many of whom formed a barrier to stop the guards from stopping the violence.
- Eventually the two students involved in the fight were brought to the Principal’s office. The students outside remained unruly.
- Mr. Fearon requested that all students return to classes. This instruction was not complied with. As a last resort he began swinging the cane to move the students to their classrooms. The student, subject of the complaint, was hit in the leg once with the cane causing a welt.
- Witnesses described the student subsequently following behind Mr. Fearon and challenging him in what was described as a threatening and derogatory manner. The student did not comply with repeated requests to return to class, and was struck with the cane for a second time before returning to class.
- Upon going home at the end of the school day the student’s father reported the matter to the police. A report was taken and the student was brought to hospital for consultation. Two bruises were recorded and no medical treatment was administered at the hospital.
