School lunch staff accused of smacking five-year-old boy

TWO school lunchtime supervisors are to stand trial accused of smacking a five-year-old boy.

Balquees Ali Akhter, 56, of Birkby and Rukhsana Parveen, 46, of Thornton Lodge are jointly charged with assault by beating on October 17, last year.

Their case was heard before Kirklees Magistrates sitting in Huddersfield yesterday.

The boy and his school cannot be named for legal reasons.

Prosecutor Peter Byrne told the court it is alleged that both women smacked the child.

Both women entered not guilty pleas through their solicitors and the case has been listed for trial.

A Punjabi interpreter was requested for trial.

Akhter of Thistle Close, Birkby and Parveen of Bulay Road, Thornton Lodge, were both granted unconditional bail.

They will next appear at Kirklees Magistrates Court on April 4.