Mark Devenport, a reporter with the BBC has raised the question of whether or not mercy should be shown to David Bell a teacher in Northern Ireland who received an absolute discharge after pleading guilty to a technical assault on a a pupil at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn back in June 2002.
Mr Bell has had his application to the Northern Ireland Office for the Royal Prerogative of Mercy turned down, but is appealing the decision. He reckons that since Liam’s article was published he has gathered more support from local politicians, with over 70 MLAs backing his campaign to clear his name and remove a conviction which prevents him from ever teaching again (more)
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