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Harassment teacher suspended from job

A PRIMARY school teacher convicted of harassing two teenage girls has been suspended from his job.

Ian Hamilton, 35, walked free from court after magistrates ordered him to complete two community punishment orders and pay compensation totalling '200 to his victims.

Hamilton, of Oldfield Road, Prestwich, Bury, pleaded not guilty to two charges of harassment but was convicted after a trial at Bury magistrates' court.

Bury council has confirmed the teacher was suspended from his position at Radcliffe Hall CofE Primary School in Bury Street, Radcliffe, when the allegations surfaced last year.

In a statement today, Bury's education authority confirmed that an internal investigation is now underway.

Hamilton refused to comment at his home last night. His pregnant wife said she is standing by her husband and revealed that he is appealing against the conviction.

In each case, Hamilton's actions and words were said to have caused the two teenage girls he targeted "great distress." It is understood that the girls were not pupils at his school.

In the first incident, which dates back to June last year, it is understood Hamilton pulled up outside a 16-year-old girl's home in his car. She got inside thinking it was the taxi she had ordered.

Police said he spoke to her then followed her to the genuine taxi when she got out of his car. Police today confirmed she took down his registration number then told her parents, who reported it days later. He was arrested in October last year.

Also in June, it is understood Hamilton made "personal comments" to a 17-year-old girl he had stopped to talk to from his car in Prestwich as he drove to his school.

Bury magistrates court confirmed Hamilton was sentenced to complete a 120-hour community punishment order for each offence and pay '100 compensation to each victim.