School worker cleared of child abuse tells of ordeal
A former school caretaker is trying to rebuild his life after being cleared of charges of indecent and sexual assault against children.
Alan Pennock, 55, of Griffin Road, Clevedon, walked free from Bristol Crown Court this week after being found not guilty of four charges of indecent assault and two of sexual assault against children under the age of 13 between April 1977 and December 2007.
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School worker Alan Pennock has been cleared of child abuse
The court heard how five of the incidents were alleged to have occurred in the grounds of Yeo Moor Junior School in Kennaway Road, where he was the caretaker for 19 years.
A sixth incident was alleged to have taken place at Clevedon United Football Club.
The allegations first came to light in December 2007, and Alan, a grandfather of four, was immediately suspended from his job.
Police searched his house and seized his computer as part of the investigation.
Sitting in the home he shares with his wife Cathy, 52, he told the Post: "The last 15 months of my life have been a living hell.
"At one point I was so depressed I even contemplated taking my own life – the whole ordeal has left me a broken man."
Alan, who was also a play leader and dinner-time supervisor at the school, says he is now on anti- depressants and has to take tablets to help him sleep at night.
He said: "I will never forget the moment when I was called into the school office. We had just served Christmas dinner and I still had my paper hat on.
"I was told I had been suspended, but wasn't told why."
Alan, who has always strongly denied the charges, then had to wait a further week until the full extent of the allegations was revealed.
"I just couldn't believe what was being said," he said. "I have a clean criminal record and had never even been into a police station, never mind a court.
"I loved my job and the allegations left me in bits."
Alan said he noticed how some people treated him differently when news of the allegations started to circulate the town.
He said: "Once people became aware of the allegations, some started to treat me differently and I felt nervous walking around Clevedon, the town which has been my home all my life. I started to feel that people were staring at me and talking about me, despite the fact I knew I had done nothing wrong."
Alan, who resigned from his job in September, had to wait a further 15 months for the case to go to court and, following a five-day hearing, the jury returned a unanimous not-guilty verdict to all six charges.
"I just slumped in the dock and wept," he said.
"My family and friends who came to support me all burst into tears of relief when the verdict was delivered."
Alan, a lifelong member of Clevedon United Football Club, underwent counselling to help him through the months leading up to the trial.
Choking back the tears, he said: "The pressure up to the trial was intolerable.
"But I knew I had to clear my name and going to court was the only way I could do that."
Alan, who was born in Clevedon and has lived in the seaside town all his life, says his ordeal has changed him from the man he once was.
He said: "I have always been a tactile person and all I ever wanted to do was look after and reassure the children in my care.
"I did sometimes give them a hug and used to keep sweets and fruit in my shed, but there was never anything sinister about it.
"I have met a lot of young people during my career, many of whom still run up to me, shouting 'Hello Mr P' and give me a hug.
"Now I push them away. I am afraid to hug anyone and the only people I feel truly comfortable with is my family."
At his three-bedroom family home, where he has lived for 20 years, the shelves are full of cards, presents and flowers from family friends and well-wishers.
He celebrated the not-guilty verdict with a quiet, family dinner at home.
Alan, who has two children of his own, said: "My family and friends have been incredible and I could not have got through this without them and I want to sincerely thank them. My wife Cathy, who I have been with for 17 years and married last August, has been a rock and has never doubted me once.
"At one point we thought about moving away, but I love Clevedon and want to stay here."
Now Alan says he is concentrating on rebuilding his life and trying to get a new job.
He said: "It is difficult trying to get a job and put myself back together after what has happened.
"No one seems to want to employ me and there is a risk I will lose the house if I can't keep up with the mortgage.
"But I am determined to get through this, draw a line under what has happened and start to rebuild my life."
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by anon, North Somerset
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 1:26PM
“This 'man' has ruined my life, he had months of hell? I have hated myself for years and felt dirty because of what he did, and he walks free an innocent man.
I now have to walk around Clevedon and be seen as the criminal because he got found Not Guilty. I've lost many friends and my job to try and stop this man repeating his actions. I wasn't looking for money, I wouldn't of wanted any either as it would be his dirty money.
All i wanted was to know he wouldn't hurt another little girl like I was.
I have completely lost faith in the legal system.”
by Nina, Bristol
Sunday, March 15 2009, 6:10PM
“The poor man. I hope he can rebuild his life. It's crazy to ask why would someone say these things. People often make things up for all kinds of crazy reasons. Some people believe that there is no smoke without fire, I prefer to believe innocent until proven guilty.”
by Motormouth, south bristol
Saturday, March 14 2009, 8:51PM
“I heard some one say Anon did it.”
by RF (PAFAA), South
Saturday, March 14 2009, 6:44PM
“Anon - do you know how easy it is to put an innocent person into prison? Silly question because obviously you don't.
In these cases often the ONLY evidence required is the word of the complainant (and sometimes hearsay evidence from friends they have "told" in order to bulk up their case).
In summing up the evidence the judge will remind the jury of this fact and then tell the jury that it is "up to you to decide who is telling the truth - who is the more credible witness".
I know of men who have been sentenced to life or an IPP (Indeterminate for Public Protection so they may never come out of prison) for alleged multiple rape and buggery WITH NO MEDICAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE ALLEGATIONS.
There is no necessity for injuries as the "experts" cover their backs by saying that although there is no sign of sexual abuse "the findings neither confirm nor refute that sexual abuse has taken place".
The fact that the matter has got as far as a court room will suggest to the jury that "there must be something in it otherwise it would not have got this far".
The police are under heavy pressure to increase the sexual offence conviction rates and they will do ANYTHING to achieve this end.
They will hide evidence then claim they never received it. They will not interview witnesses who could assist the defence case or if they do, they will then place those statements into what is called "the unused bundle" AFTER the trial so the defence cannot use them, then they will claim that they were there all along when questioned by the appeal court, in order to uphold the conviction.
None of the above is made up - I review cases for appeal against conviction and have come across theses practices time and again.
There are many motives for making false allegations of sexual abuse - some have been outlined by somebody above.
Although Alan in the above case has been cleared the allegation will lie on file for the rest of his life and will show up on PNC or CRB checks.
This nightmare will never be over for him. Nor will it be over for his family as people will withdraw from child family members in case "it" happens again.
There are literally hundreds of men (and some women) who are in prison who should not be there.
The liars that put these people into prison do the real victims of sexual abuse no favours at all.
In fact it is they who are responsible for the low conviction rates for sexual offences because genuine victims are reluctant to come forward if they feel they will not be believed.
I shall now step off my soapbox and let somebody else have their say!”
by No I Neva, Bristol
Saturday, March 14 2009, 4:02PM
“Anon, reasons why people make allegations that might not be true (1) Money (2) Attention (3) Revenge (4) Jealousy (5) Psychological problems (6) False memory syndrome.
I am sorry that the "Not Guilty" verdict was an inconvenience to some people who must have been itching to drive his family out and feel morally superior to them.
It is a vile and sick crime to be accused of and we MUST respect verdicts and let people rebuild their shattered lives. There but the grace of God goes anybody that works with children in any format......”