Physical Force
Mr. Byrd is accused of 12 offences involving pupils at Cholderton College. He has pleaded Not Guilty to five charges of occasioning bodily harm and seven involving allegations of cruelty to seven boys aged between 11 and 16.
In evidence Mr. Byrd described his earlier years, leading up to his leadership of a youth club at Bethnal Green. He took it upon himself to take in boys not acceptable to the other clubs in the area: “unlovables”, boys who were extremely difficult.
Asked by Mr. J. Hampden Inskip, Q.C., for the defence, if any physical force was used on him or by him, Mr. Byrd said: “On me frequently, by rival gangs in the borough. After a year of 18 months I had little trouble in that respect.”