Girl 'scratched' in 'scarf assault'

Hazel Dick denies religiously aggravated common assault

A Muslim girl described how a teacher allegedly insulted her religion after pulling a scarf from her head, a court heard on Tuesday.

The 16-year-old pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said 43-year-old Hazel Dick tugged the headscarf - or hijab - causing a safety pin to scratch her neck.

Ms Dick, of Peterborough, denies a charge of religiously aggravated common assault.

The teenager, who was 15 at the time of the incident, said Ms Dick, head of science at Bretton Woods Community School, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, then said: "Your religion is one big joke."

Peterborough Crown Court had heard that the alleged assault took place at Bretton Woods Community School in March 2003.

The jury of six men and six women was told that the girl had arrived wearing a black hijab and Ms Dick had told her to change it for a uniform hijab which was black edged with a red and grey stripe.

The girl, who was dressed in a black hijab and duffel coat as she gave evidence, told jurors that she went to another classroom to borrow a uniform hijab from a friend while Ms Dick waited outside.

Throat scratched

The girl said her scarf was secured with safety pins under the chin and on top of the head.

She said: "I removed the top pin of my hijab. I was going to remove the one at the bottom and Miss Dick, she just pulled the hijab off.

"She held me from here (near the throat) and pulled the scarf off.

"It (the bottom pin) came undone. It scratched me. Just on my throat.

"She (Dick) held it (the hijab) in her hand. I asked her why she did it.

'Islam is a joke'

"I was just looking at her and she just goes to me, 'Would you look at your father like that?'

"I said: 'What do you mean? How am I looking at you?'

"She asked me why I wear my scarf. I said because my religion told me to.

"She goes to me, 'Your religion is one big joke'."

The girl claimed Ms Dick then said: "The amount you respect Allah. That is how much respect I have for my shoe."

The girl said she then went to school principal John Gribble and made a written statement before going to a toilet to rinse the scratch on her neck with water.

The case continues.