Gun teacher row youth convicted

Linda Walker was jailed after firing towards a group of youths

A teenager whose confrontation with teacher Linda Walker led to her being jailed for firing a gun near a group of youths has been convicted of assault.

Nicholas Viollet, 17, was also found guilty of criminal damage and threatening behaviour following a two-day trial at Trafford Youth Court.

The court lifted restrictions which would normally prevent him being named.

It heard Viollet had verbally and physically assaulted a young couple in Urmston, Greater Manchester.

He had harassed medic Daniel Brooks and his girlfriend Nicola Raw between April 2004 and February 2005.

'Campaign of intimidation'

It culminated in Viollet beating Mr Brooks, 25, to the ground, leaving him with bruises and cuts to his face on Christmas Eve.

Weeks earlier he had thrown a brick through Ms Raw's car window.

Mrs Walker, 48, was sentenced to six months in jail after firing an air pistol near to a gang of youths.

She claimed they had launched a campaign of intimidation against her family.

She spent 36 days in prison before her sentence was reduced on appeal but lost her £30,000-a-year job at New Park High School, in Eccles, where she taught children with special needs.

Viollet was released and will be sentenced on 9 August.

The court imposed an interim anti-social behaviour order which banned him from approaching the couple or their home.