Wednesday, May 10th, 1967,
Headmaster gaoled for five years
Ministry powers questioned
Sentence of five years’ imprisonment was passed at Hampshire Assizes at Winchester yesterday on William Michael Byrd, aged 38, headmaster at Cholderton College, a private boarding school near Salisbury. He was found Guilty of three charges of bodily harm and three of cruelty to pupils in his case.
He was found Not Guilty on the remaining six charges – two of bodily harm and four of cruelty. He had pleaded Not Guilty to all 12 charges. The jury were out for three and a quarter hours.
Before passing sentence Mr. Justice Donaldson told him: “You posed as God and God without mercy.”