A “protective” father, found guilty of assaulting the headteacher and assistant headteacher at his child’s school, is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest magistrates court today (Thursday).

After a one day trial earlier this month Russell Bradshaw, aged 49, was convicted of two counts of common assault. The court heard how Bradshaw had had been banned from Pembroke School after incidents in the past.

Bradshaw, of Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, had written to the school asking, among other things, that his child was not kept in the school’s internal exclusion unit (IEU).

On January 17th his child had been placed in the IEU. Bradshaw’s wife was later called to the school, as the pupil’s behaviour had deteriorated and staff were worried the child would self harm. On hearing his parents were coming to the school the child became hysterical.

When Bradshaw arrived at the referral department assistant headteacher Susan Birch went to intercept him and his wife and explain the situation to them.

“I have never seen such distress and panic in a child,” she said during the trial.

In a 36 second incident Bradshaw “charged forward” and pushed her against the door to the IEU which she then blocked. He jolted it hard against her back, forcing it open.

When head teacher Frank Ciccotti prevented him from entering the unit Bradshaw “lunged forward” and pushed him backwards through the door.

Mrs Birch suffered aches in her legs, neck, shoulders and lower back for several weeks as a result of the incident.

At the trial Simon Mumford, defending, said that Bradshaw had used reasonable force in self defence of his child, who he believed was at risk of harm.

Bradshaw is due to be sentenced this morning pending reports by the probation service.