A former pupil of Lagan College who claimed she was sexually assaulted by the school’s health and welfare officer said his inappropriate behaviour “creeped” her out.
Neil Beckett (43) who is currently suspended from his role within the south Belfast school - is standing trial on 29 charges against 11 complainants.
From Kilmore Village in Downpatrick, he has denied all the charges that include one count of rape, one of sexual communication with a child, one of meeting a child following sexual grooming and 26 of sexual assault.
The offences span a period between 2013 and 2023 and involve two former Army Cadets and nine schoolgirls.
The trial is now in its second week and on Wednesday the heard evidence from the first of nine Lagan College students who allege they were abused.
Giving evidence via videolink, she described Beckett as the school’s “medic and welfare officer” and said that prior to the alleged incidents she thought he was “great to talk to, he felt more like a friend than a teacher”.
She told Crown barrister Charles MacCreanor KC that she would go to Beckett’s office on a regular basis where she felt she could “rant” about various issues.
The prosecutor asked her about a specific incident which she said occurred before a school formal.
The complainant said that whilst in Beckett’s office, she joked that she might get “a bit too drunk” and would need carried out.
She said after making this comment Beckett “lifted me up and showed me different ways that he might carry me out”.
“I was standing up and he came over and sort of swept me off my feet like in a princess hold for a few seconds,” she said.
“Then he put me down and showed me another way that he would carry me out was over his shoulder in like a fireman’s lift.”
She said that after leaving Beckett’s office she felt it was “really weird, I didn’t think that was allowed to happened and it creeped me out”.
She later told the court that at the formal, Beckett gave her £5 to buy a drink adding he told her “not to tell anybody” and that she “looked good” in her dress.
She was then questioned about another alleged incident which occurred in which Beckett invited her into his office and made her a coffee. She said she was “freaked out” and “wasn’t entirely comfortable” due to the prior incident when she was lifted up.
Defence barrister Laura Ievers KC then cross-examined the former pupil and told her “Mr Beckett totally denies having any physical contact with you.”
Ms Ievers then questioned the complainant about her claims that Beckett lifted her and suggested her client would have difficulties doing this as he had “weakness” in his arms and wrists and wore casts to support these mobility issues.
The complainant replied that she was not aware of any casts being worn and said Beckett “quite easily” picked her up.
At hearing.