Colleagues harassed by teacher; TRIBUNAL: Women members of staff claimed that 'friendly' sir kissed them.

Byline: By Patrice John

A TEACHER tribunal ruled that a former Midland assistant head sexually harassed women members of staff.

Michael Harris, who worked at St Michael's CE High School, in Throne Road, Rowley Regis, was given a conditional registration order which will apply for five years.

It means Mr Harris must notify the GTC, and future employers, if he applies for a job where registration with the GTC is required.

He was accused of "subjecting female members of staff of the school to unwanted conduct on the grounds of their sex and/or unwanted physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature", both of which amount to sexual harassment between 2001-2006.

A conduct committee of the GTC had been told that colleague Ruth Wright claimed Mr Harris had kissed her during a school trip to Drayton Manor Park.

But school site manager Andrew Swann, who was on the trip and had worked with Mr Harris for 25 years, denied the incident took place. Representing Mr Harris, Chris Holden, from NASUWT, said: "It is alleged that he walked behind Ruth Wright and kissed her neck."

Mr Swann said: "He would have had a bit of a job because there was a wall behind her."

Retired office manager Wendy Lamsdale worked with Mr Harris until 2005.

She was supervisor to a number of women who alleged they were harassed by the assistant headteacher.

But she said: "I have worked closely with him for 14 years.

I have never felt uncomfortable with him.

"He is a friendly man but I don't believe he would have done anything to offend."

Mr Holden said that office secretary Lorraine Haycock made an allegation that Mr Harris "smacked or patted her bottom" in the office in the presence of Ms Lamsdale. But Ms Lamsdale said: "I have no recollection of that at all."

He added: "You said you saw him kiss her hand. Did that alarm you?"

Ms Lamsdale said: "No because he kissed my hand as well. It was just a friendly gesture."

She added: "We are not talking about little girls here, we are talking about married women and I would have thought if they were offended they would have said."

CAPTION(S):

GUILTY RULING... former assistant head Michael Harris.