Father aggressively filmed Trinity Academy Queensbury teachers

Alexander Kendrew, 31, of Nelson Street in Queensbury, was sentenced to 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) for three counts of using threatening, abusive and insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause fear of, or provoke, unlawful violence.

This was towards three teachers outside Trinity Academy Bradford, in Deanstones Lane, Queensbury, as students left at 2.30pm on April 26 this year.

Kendrew pleaded guilty to the offences at the first opportunity on June 24.

The 31-year-old - sporting tattoos on his arms, a neatly trimmed beard and a nose ring and wearing black Under Armour jogging bottoms and a black T-shirt – appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court on Monday for sentence.

The court heard that Kendrew went to the school, where his son was a pupil, because he had an issue with an unauthorised absence fine imposed on him.

But Kendrew’s defence said the father felt aggrieved because his son had been assaulted at school and he felt the situation had not been dealt with properly.

He said: “It’s clear from the prosecution there’s obviously been some issue at school.

“The defendant’s son had been assaulted and the defendant felt it had not been dealt with properly and that’s why he found himself at the school.”

The school was sending children home and three members of staff were involved in getting around 600 pupils out of the premises.

One of those teachers, Liam Dyson, described their role as ensuring the safety of the students, who leave near a busy road. Mr Dyson told the court that a commotion involving Kendrew “kicked off” in the presence of those children.

The prosecution said Kendrew turned up at the school and approached Mr Dyson, recording him on his mobile phone and using threatening behaviour.

Mr Dyson asked Kendrew to move away to safeguard the children and said the defendant then aggressively shoved the phone in his face saying: “What do you think about this, do you think it’s alright to fine me?”

Kendrew was asked to leave again and then said “you are an arse”, and made comments about a separate incident that happened previously at the school.

The court heard another teacher, Chris Langley, then spoke about the fine and tried to encourage Kendrew to leave the school premises - but he continued to film.

Kendrew also made physical contact with Mr Langley – he grabbed the teacher’s wrist, which he perceived as an attempt to keep recording him.

School principal, Tom Taylor, became aware Kendrew was outside and he received some of the same verbal abuse, putting him in fear of immediate unlawful violence, according to the prosecution.

Kendrew has no previous convictions and no cautions on his record.

In mitigation, Kendrew’s defence said he suffers from mental health issues and said he “suffered at the time of the offence and it clearly had some effect on him reacting the way he did on that occasion.”

The 31-year-old is a single parent of two children and their mother has limited contact, it was stated.

His defence said: “His son is no longer at that school. His son and daughter, who he has sole responsibility for, are at different schools.”

Kendrew’s mental health issues are preventing him from working currently and he is on benefits, but he “hopes to get back to work in full time.”

The magistrates imposed a 20-day RAR order which must be completed within the next 12 months.

If Kendrew fails to comply he will be brought back to court.

The court awarded no costs, as Kendrew already has a “big tab” of £1,800 to pay for road traffic matters.

No compensation was handed to the teachers as the magistrates “didn’t think it was reasonable in these circumstances.”

The magistrate said: “Can you imagine, it’s not just to the teachers, the children are hearing all this.”

He then mentioned Kendrew’s two children and said: "You use that type of language you’re not doing them any justice.”

Kendrew apologised in the dock after the sentence was handed down by the magistrates.