A former Harrogate district school child protection officer has been jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of multiple charges of sexual assault against 20 victims.
Alexander Ralls, 47, of Dunstable, Bedfordshire, appeared at Bradford Crown Court for sentencing today after he was found guilty of 31 charges of sexual assault.
He was also convicted of 10 charges of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, two charges of assault by penetration and one charge of sexual assault of a child under 13.
Ralls, a former charity boss and former deputy head of boarding at fee-paying Queen Ethelburga’s School near Harrogate, was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.
The court heard how, while working as a child protection officer and safeguarding lead, Ralls used his position of trust to exploit his victims, claiming to care for them and provide them with medical treatment while actually sexually assaulting them.
Speaking after sentencing today, investigating officer detective constable Suzanne Hall from the North Yorkshire Police Non-Recent Abuse Investigation Team said:
“This was a complex and disturbing case where Ralls as a person in a position of trust, used his role to coerce and influence the young people he should have been caring for into a vulnerable position, which he then exploited for his own sexual gratification.
“The extent of his offending was staggering and the fact that he continued to use the same excuse of providing medical care to carry out his sickening actions, shows his utter arrogance towards and contempt of his victims. Not once has he taken any responsibility for his actions, pleading not guilty to all the charges, meaning his victims had to face a gruelling seven-week court process.
“I’d like to thank the victims for their enormous bravery in coming forward and giving their accounts. I know how difficult and traumatic that was for them. I hope the sentence handed to Ralls today helps them move on from such an upsetting period in their lives.
“I hope the sentence also gives other victims of non-recent abuse confidence to come forward and seek help and support. It doesn’t matter how long ago you may have experienced abuse, we understand the damaging effects it can have and that people can feel those effects throughout their life.
“If you choose to report the incident to police, we will listen and believe you and we will do everything we can to put those responsible in front of the courts.”
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Ofsted praises ‘welcoming and friendly’ Scotton school
Scotton Lingerfield Primary School, near Knaresborough, has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
The inspection took place in June this year and the findings were published in a report on Wednesday.
It maintains the school’s official ‘good’ rating from 2013.
When a school receives a ‘good’ rating, Ofsted visits about every four years to confirm the grading.
Government inspectors found the school to be welcoming and friendly, and said pupils are polite and courteous.
They added that pupils demonstrate the school’s three rules: be safe, be respectful and be responsible.
The report found:
“Older pupils play well with younger pupils at breaktimes and lunchtimes.
“This adds to a sense of community.
“Bullying is extremely rare. Pupils told inspectors that they did not think it took place.”
During the visit, pupils were enthusiastically rehearsing songs for the end-of-year production, inspectors said, adding these opportunities support the development of pupils’ talents and interests effectively.
They commented:
“Leaders have designed and implemented a curriculum to meet the needs of pupils at the school.
“Children in reception begin to learn phonics from the start of the academic year. There are plentiful opportunities for children to apply their phonic knowledge within the classroom and outside area.
“Adults effectively model how to read with expression and interest to bring stories to life.”
Leaders were also praised for their approach to pupils with special educational needs. Tasks are suitably adapted to enable them to access the curriculum and adults know when it is necessary to explain something in a simpler way, the report added.
It continued:
“Pupils are proud of their school.
“Older pupils are positive role models to younger pupils.”
“Requires further refinement”
Ofsted did note, however, some of the curriculum requires further refinement.
The report added:
“In some subjects, leaders have not clearly defined the knowledge that pupils should learn as they progress through the school.
“Some pupils do not develop the depth of knowledge that they could in some subjects.
“Leaders should further develop the curriculum to support pupils to build their knowledge over time so that they are able to make connections within subjects and across the curriculum.”
Headteacher “incredibly proud” of report
In response to the report, headteacher Debbie Calvert said:
“We are incredibly proud of the Ofsted report. The inspection was thorough and rigorous and offered a valuable opportunity to engage in professional conversations around all aspects of school life. All staff work tirelessly to ensure that pupils are happy, safe and able to achieve to their full potential. We are delighted that these efforts have been recognised across all areas of school.
“We couldn’t have achieved this outcome without a huge team effort. We are blessed with hardworking staff, supportive families, knowledgeable governors and children who have excellent attitudes to their learning.”
Chair of governors, Rob Manton, added:
“The passion that the staff put in, day in, day out is immeasurable.
“They truly make the school a special place for our children to learn.”
Read more:
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- Ofsted says Holy Trinity Junior School in Ripon ‘requires improvement’
Inquests open into fatal A61 crash at South Stainley
Inquests into the deaths of two of the three people killed in a crash on the A61 at South Stainley opened today.
Daria Bartienieva, 35, and her son Ihor Bartienieva, 6, died after a three-vehicle collision that involved a double decker bus on Ripon Road on September 3.
Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, was also killed as a result of the collision.
All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon.
Jon Heath, senior coroner for North Yorkshire, opened the inquests into Daria and Ihor at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.
Mr Heath said both were killed as a result of a road traffic collision. The provisional cause of death was given as “multiple injuries” due to blunt force trauma.
The hearing was adjourned for a full inquest at a later date.
Holy Trinity School paid tribute to former pupil Ihor after the collision.
A fundraiser set up for 15-year-old Liza Bartienieva, who was orphaned following the incident, raised £48,000.
Read more:
- Police name victims of fatal A61 crash near Ripon
- Candles to be lit in Ripon for children and mother killed in crash
- Ripon school ‘heartbroken’ over death of six-year-old pupil
Knaresborough hosts main running race of year
More than 200 runners took part in the Knaresborough Crag Rat Run yesterday.
The five-mile race around the town is the primary event organised each year by running club Knaresborough Striders.
Harrogate Harriers provided the top female athlete, Davina Ellis, who finished the mixed terrain course in 32 mins 11 seconds.
The men’s race was won by Mark Holden, of Dewsbury Road Runners, who blitzed around in 28 mins 27 seconds.
Gareth Somerville, of Harrogate Harriers, was the second male and Jack Brierley, of Nidd Valley Road Runners, was third.
The race, organised annually by Knaresborough Striders since 2016, started and finished at Knaresborough Cricket Club. A total of 217 runners took part.
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Female champion Davina Ellis
Men’s winner Mark Houlden
One of Harrogate’s busiest arterial roads is to be dug up for two weeks, including over the half-term holiday.
A stretch of Skipton Road between King Edward’s Drive and the railway line will undergo routine repair and maintenance works carried out by Northern Gas Networks between Monday, October 23 and Friday, November 3.
The schools’ half-term break covers the week commencing Monday, October 30.
The news comes hot on the heels of lengthy and disruptive roadworks further west along Skipton Road, which only ended on September 6.
Scott Kitchingman, operations manager at NGN, said:
“We are carrying out some work in the Skipton Road area of Harrogate during the October school half-term break; the dates have been planned in to try to minimise disruption to the public.
“We are still determining the precise area of where we will be working, however, information will be communicated once plans are finalised.
“We apologise in advance for any disruption caused by these works, but it is essential that we work proactively in areas identified as having pipes that could be at risk.”
NGN is the company responsible for piping gas around most of the north of England and is currently carrying out a huge programme to replace old metal pipes with new plastic ones.
Read more:
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- North Yorkshire Council urged to fine utility firms over roadworks
- Delayed finish to roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road
Train strikes to hit Harrogate and Knaresborough this week
More train strikes are set to disrupt services in Harrogate and Knaresborough this week.
Rail company Northern has said no services will operate on Saturday due to industrial action by train drivers’ union Aslef.
It added in a statement:
“Additional disruption is expected on Friday, September 29 and from Monday 2 to Friday 6 October due to action short of strike called by Aslef and customers are advised to check before they travel as there may be some short notice cancellations to services running on these days.
“There will also be no services on Wednesday, October 4 – when an additional strike has been called by the union.”
Northern’s guide to forthcoming services.
Read more:
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Mick Whelan, Aslef general secretary, said:
Business Breakfast: Swinton Estate restaurant to undergo £500,000 refurbishment‘While we regret having to take this action – we don’t want to lose a day’s pay, or disrupt passengers, as they try to travel by train — the government, and the employers have forced us into this position.
“Our members have not, now, had a pay rise for four years – since 2019 – and that’s not right when prices have soared in that time.”
A restaurant at Swinton Park Hotel is set to undergo a £500,000 refurbishment.
Samuel’s Restaurant, which is based at the Swinton Estate in Masham, will revamp its kitchen by January 2024.
The refurbishment will see it update the entire kitchen, equipment and workflows to reduce its carbon footprint and create a new state-of-the-art facility.
Head chef, Ruth Hansom, has also extended her six-month residency until the end of the year to help oversee the refurbishment.
Andrew Mackay, general manager at the restaurant, said:
“This is a very exciting time for the team at Samuel’s Restaurant, where they will have access to a brand new kitchen in which to prepare the finest Yorkshire food.
“We are incredibly grateful to Ruth for staying on to help us see this project through, and we’re confident that our ambitious plans will continue to attract and retain the best established and up-and-coming chefs to the estate.”
Grantley Hall launches motorsport concierge service
Grantley Hall near Ripon has launched a new motorsport concierge service.
Called Grantley Motorsport, the service will offer guests bespoke packages for track days, in-house professional simulator hire, automotive events and VIP experiences to top-tier motorsport events.
The scheme has been launched in partnership with Hype Motorsport, which will provide access to professional instructors as part of the service.
Richard Sykes, managing director of Grantley Hall, said:
“At Grantley Hall, we continually strive to provide our guests with extraordinary and unforgettable experiences.
“Grantley Motorsport is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. From our on-site professional racing simulator suite, right through to VIP motorsport events, we aim to deliver an unparalleled journey into the world of motorsport, ensuring our guests create cherished memories to last a lifetime.”
Stray Views: Why no 20mph limit outside my children’s primary school?
Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
While I wholeheartedly support efforts to enhance the safety of school zones, I am shocked and puzzled that Willow Tree Primary School has not been included in these vital plans.
Willow Tree Primary School is one of the largest primary schools in our community, serving a significant number of students and families. It is strategically situated on a main and busy route through our town, making it a crucial focal point for ensuring the safety of our children and all pedestrians. It is baffling to me that, in terms of a risk assessment, Willow Tree Primary School has not been considered as a priority.
As a concerned parent, I witness the alarming and dangerous behaviour of speeding HGV vehicles on most days during the school run. It is evident that the current traffic situation outside our school poses a severe and imminent risk to the safety of our children. It is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs, and we must take proactive measures to prevent such a tragedy.
I am eager to understand the rationale behind the decision to exclude Willow Tree Primary School from these critical traffic safety plans. The safety of our children should always be our top priority.
I have emailed to request that the local authorities reconsider their decision and include Willow Tree Primary School in the upcoming traffic safety measures. I believe that our school’s omission from the plans raises questions about the fairness and equity of the decision-making process.
Why have 20mph where it isn’t needed?
Diesel trains?
Why are diesel trains still being used to Harrogate, when Skipton and Ilkley have had electric multiple units since the 1960’s?
Harrogate’s rough sleepers embarrassing
I have been reading stories regards homeless people sleeping rough in Harrogate.[Rough sleepers evicted from Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens]
I moved to Harrogate over a year ago and am shocked and appalled by the amount of drugs, alcohol and people sleeping rough here. My family came to stay over at the weekend and going into town it was nothing short of embarrassing. There were drunks hanging around near McDonald’s shouting and swearing, what appeared to be drug takers near the bridge not far from the bus station and two men sleeping rough on benches near the cenotaph.
Harrogate has one of the highest council tax bands in the country but it is beyond me as to why?
I will be leaving Harrogate as soon as I can as it is dangerous, noisy and down right embarrassing. Such a pity.
Tracy Baldwin, Harrogate
Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.
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A Harrogate World War II veteran believed to be among the first servicewomen to enter a Nazi concentration camp is to give a talk about her experiences next week.
Sheila Pantin, who will be 100 next month, will give the talk as part of the Harrogate war memorial centenary commemorations.
The event, which is sold out, will take place at the town’s West Park United Reformed Church.
Sheila joined the army aged 17 and trained as an ambulance and staff car driver with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women’s branch of the British Army, rising to the rank of sergeant.
She became one of the first British servicewomen to enter Belsen concentration camp in April 1945 after its liberation.
Reflecting on the time, Sheila said:
“I thought they meant ‘barracks’ but it turned out they didn’t mean that at all. There was the camp with this huge entrance and an awful lot of huts surrounded by barbed wire fencing.
“We were entering Belsen. I could see our boys digging out mass graves to give the bodies proper burials.
“The only people left alive were in rags and were in a terrible state. They didn’t even know how to eat.”
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It was Sheila’s job to look after the survivors in the camp, to clean them, dress them, show them how to use a knife and fork, to try to restore a little humanity after the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust.
Sheila’s talk will take place on Wednesday, September 27, and forms part of a wider selection of events taking place as part of the commemoration.
More details of the centenary commemorations are available here.
The Harrogate powerlifter eyeing a Paralympics 2024 spotHarrogate’s Charlotte McGuinness has her sight set on the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
The 22-year-old powerlifter has competed in World Cups and European Championships since taking up the sport as a teenager.
Powerlifting has taken her to Georgia and the United States to compete in major tournaments.
But, for Charlotte, the ultimate goal is to bench press on the world stage at the Paralympics.
Picking up the weights
Charlotte initially started out as a swimmer.
When she turned 16, she realised that being a swimmer was “probably out of reach for myself” and turned her attention to powerlifting.
She picked up a set of weights while still studying at St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate.
From there, she was enrolled onto a talent pathway which included training at Loughborough University – which she still does today.
She was set on a development programme in June 2019 which tracked her powerlifting progress.
From there, her career trajectory began to climb.
She competed in the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Manchester in 2020 just before the coronavirus pandemic.
“I was still swimming at the time. I was trying to balance both and then covid hit.
“It forced me to quit swimming and it was a blessing in a sense. It made me focus on my lifting and that made me progress.”
Charlotte McGuinness pictured competing in the World Cup.
Covid forced her to set up a gym at home, where she followed her development programme.
Nowadays, she mixes it up and uses local gyms as well as her bench press training at home.
She returned to Manchester in March 2021 to compete in the Para Powerlifting World Cup.
This time, she won bronze in the women’s up to 50kg category with a bench press of 74kg.
A year later, she competed in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi in a World Para Powerlifting event.
The championships was her first away on her own for a lengthy period of time.
“I was nervous because I had never been away for that length of time to a different country.
“It was covid as well, so we were very restricted. We were only meant to stay in the hotel for 10 days.”
However, despite the restrictions of the pandemic, the competition is one she fondly remembers.
“Something that I will always remember is coming back from the juniors. The competition was taking place in another hotel.
“We were staying in a different hotel and I came back from the juniors after winning a medal and my teammates were at the top of the stairs up to reception and they were clapping. I will always remember that one.”
“I really thought sport was all physical. But it’s really not.”
Charlotte then went on to compete in senior competitions, including a World Cup in the United States.
Despite the upward trajectory, not every competition has been smooth sailing.
Charlotte says her performance in the European Championships in October 2022 was a particular low point when she didn’t manage to make the lift that she wanted.
“I didn’t walk away there happy. I used it as a learning tool.
“You train however many hours a week and however many times on a bench and sometimes it will not go to plan. Your body and muscles may not do what you want them to do and that was one of those days.
“I learned a lot from that. That competition will always be in the back of my mind.”
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She says the toll of training can often have an impact on her mental health.
Charlotte has been working with a clinical psychologist to help keep her focussed heading into some major tournaments in the lead up to the Paralympics.
“For me, I really thought sport was all physical. But it’s really not, it’s mental as well.
“You’ve got to accept not getting a lift and you’ve got to accept that you’ll train all this time and not do as well as you want to.
“Especially after the Europeans, I struggled to come back. But I got there in the end with the help of the team.”
She returned to Georgia a year later to the same venue and lifted a personal best of 94kg.
Now, she is hoping to make it to Paris for the Paralympic Games in 2024.
Aiming for the Paralympics
To qualify, she needs to remain in the top eight of the British ranking going into the new year.
A crucial competition for her to remain there will be the World Cup in Cairo, Egypt, next month.
Charlotte McGuinness, pictured at a competition in Dubai.
For Charlotte, the goal is to get a 97kg lift on the board in order to retain her place in the top eight.
To keep her focussed on the task in hand, Charlotte’s coach has written down the names of the girls who are also competing for that top eight ranking.
Reaching the Paralympics would be a milestone for Charlotte, who only picked up a set of weights some four years ago.
For her, the opportunity is there for the taking.
“I know I’ve got the strength, I just need to execute the technique.
“Once I’ve done that, it will be on the board.”
If you have any local sporting heroes who you think should be featured in Sporting Spotlight, contact calvin@thestrayferret.co.uk.