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Douglas man on trial for Cumbrian school assaults

Defendant denies historical offences

A Douglas man who denies assaulting pupils at a school in Cumbria goes on trial this morning (Monday).

Derrick William Cooper of Hillberry Green faces historical charges from his time working in South Lakeland.

Seventy-seven year-old Mr Cooper is one of five men charged with alleged offences at the former boarding school.

He has entered not guilty pleas to six charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two offences of child cruelty.

There are 38 separate charges, which all the defendants deny, covering a period from 1976 to 1993.

A trial, expected to last between eight and 10 weeks, is due to get under way at Carlisle Crown Court this morning.

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