A school health and welfare officer abused his position of trust to sexually abuse teenage girls in conduct which was “not only wholly inappropriate” but also “criminal”, a jury has heard.
As well being accused of abusing nine pupils at Lagan College in south Belfast, Neil Beckett is also standing trial for targeting two Army Cadet students when he was their leader - one of whom claimed she was raped aged 14.
The 43-year old, from Kilmore Village in Downpatrick, has been charged with, and denies, 29 offences which the Crown say were committed between 2013 and 2023.
These charges consist of one count of rape, one count of sexual communication with a child, one count of sexual grooming and 26 counts of sexual assault.
As the prosecution’s case was opened to a jury at Belfast Crown Court, the jury was told how Beckett’s behaviour toward the teenage girls left them feeling uncomfortable.
Regarding the offences whilst Beckett was an Army Cadet leader, Crown barrister Charles MacCreanor KC said two complainants have alleged they were abused as teenagers.
One said that when she was a Cadet aged 14, her leader Beckett called at her home whilst her parents were out.
She said he arrived with coffee, forced his way into her home then forced himself on her. She also claimed that whilst she was crying, he sexually assaulted then raped her.
The complainant said that when her mother came home and asked why she was upset, she told her mum she was stressed about an issue at school.
She also said she was embarrassed and didn’t want to talk about what happened - but after seeing a news report about Beckett she contacted the PSNI.
Mr MacCreanor said that when Beckett was questioned by police about her allegations, the accused accepted he knew her but denied any wrongdoing.
A second Army Cadet also accused Beckett of sexual assault when he was her leader.
She recalled that when she was 15 Beckett would hug her when she asked him not to, that his arm would move down towards her waist and that he made her feel uncomfortable.
When she told Beckett how she felt, he said if she made a complaint it would harm her prospects of advancement in the Army Cadets.
Mr MacCreanor also addressed the jury regarding allegations about Beckett’s “physical contact with students” whilst occupying a position of school health and welfare officer.
Whilst a majority of these allegation involve hugging, Beckett is also accused of inappropriate touching, tickling and smelling a girl’s hair.
It’s the Crown’s case that some of the incidents occurred in Beckett’s office.
The principal was informed and when Beckett was arrested and questioned by police about these allegations, he denied any wrongdoing and said “I don’t do hugs, I’m not a hugger”.
He also told police he had a “positive professional rapport” with pupils and said he was trained in child protection and safeguarding.
Telling the jury that it was their job to determine who was telling the truth, Mr MacCreanor said it was the Crown’s case that he was “in a position of authority and trust”.
He added that Beckett’s conduct was “not only wholly inappropriate with these young people, it was also criminal”.
At hearing.