SHE was a dedicated headteacher with an unblemished record.
As the head of a Hampshire pupil referral unit – which deals with some of the worst behaved children in the county – Eve Ritchie-Fallon was respected and appreciated for her tireless work.
For six years she gave her all at the Forest Education Centre, attempting to change the lives of children, many of whom were refused education elsewhere.
But despite dragging the centre out of special measures and overseeing its transformation into a ‘good’ school, Mrs Ritchie-Fallon was forced to defend herself in court following an allegation – now proved unfounded – that she assaulted one of her students.
The 57-year-old was accused of slapping a 15-year-old boy around the face in November last year when he refused to stop smoking on school premises.
After it was reported to police, Mrs Ritchie-Fallon was immediately suspended from the Dibden Purlieu school catering for problem children aged 11 to 16.
Yesterday Mrs Ritchie-Fallon told of her relief as she was acquitted of assault by beating following a three-day hearing in which:
■ a key prosecution witness, a 15-year-old boy, admitted he had been smoking cannabis on the morning of the incident and only half of what he told police at the time could now be believed
■ the other witness, a 15-year-old girl, changed her story in court and swore at counsel
■ the prosecution called on four members of staff to give evidence despite none of them actually witnessing the incident.
But despite being acquitted, Mrs Ritchie- Fallon remains suspended from work pending further internal investigations by council chiefs who employ her.
It’s thought the entire episode, which has lasted almost 12 months, has cost the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds as the case was gathered and put before the courts. Since the allegations last November, Mrs Ritchie-Fallon is understood to have been suspended on full pay while a replacement head was put in place.
• The court case
• Head still suspended despite innocence
• One in four teachers is accused by pupils
• Head 'turned school around'
• CPS stands by decision
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