Northern Ireland

Fermanagh schoolboy who filmed up teachers' skirts was made prefect in 'Moving Image Arts'

Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, and right, Timothy Boomer
Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, and right, Timothy Boomer Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, and right, Timothy Boomer

A SCHOOLBOY who filmed up the skirts of two teachers was later made a prefect for the A-level subject of 'Moving Image Arts'.

It emerges after Timothy Boomer (18) was on Wednesday convicted of outraging public decency over the incident at Portora Royal School, now called Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

The teenager was aged 14 to 16 when he secretly made five recordings of his teachers between February 1 2015 and September 13 2016.

He was convicted at Enniskillen Magistrates Court of five acts of a lewd, obscene and disgusting nature, outraging public decency, which the judge described as a "humiliating" experience for the victims.

The recordings were found on a USB pen in a classroom on November 24 2016, after the school became Enniskillen Royal Grammar following an amalgamation. The schoolboy later admitted he made them.

It's understood the teenager was suspended, but after his return he was made a prefect for 'Moving Image Arts' – a subject which aims to develop pupils' skills as film-makers.

Justin McCamphill of teachers' union NASUWT described the awarding of such a position given the circumstances as "shocking" and "incredulous".

Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. Picture by Ann McManus
Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. Picture by Ann McManus Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. Picture by Ann McManus

He said the school should publicly apologise for its handling of the case.

"That a pupil had taken videos up the skirts of teachers, to make the same pupil prefect of 'Moving Image Arts' is shocking and something most people will find incredulous. It shows that the school has lacked sensitivity in dealing with the members," he said.

He added: "It is now time for Enniskillen Royal Grammar School to issue a public apology for their actions in not dealing with this situation properly in the first place."

At a previous hearing the defence had contended that the filming had been an act of bravado and amounted to a childish prank.

On Wednesday, the judge said there was "no doubt that the act would have outraged any decent and mature member of the public".

The teenager will be sentenced on March 12.

In a statement, the 18-year-old said he "wrongly thought it was a daredevil prank" and apologised "for the distress, worry and pain I have brought about by my actions".

It's understood a grievance case against the school is being pursued through the Labour Relations Agency.

Elizabeth Armstrong, the school's principal, said: "As this matter is still subject to proceedings it would not be appropriate for the school to make any comment."