THE HEADTEACHER of a Halesowen primary school has been found guilty of assaulting a child.

Rhian Welsh denied assaulting the youngster at Tenterfields Primary in Halesowen town centre on November 22 last year, but was found guilty by magistrates after a trial.

The 48-year-old, of Honeybourne Road, Halesowen, was sentenced at Dudley Magistrates' Court on August 14.

Magistrates ordered her to pay £1k costs and to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the community over the next 12 months.

She must also pay an £85 surcharge to fund victim services.

Ms Welsh was found guilty of assault by beating. Court papers state she was not ordered to pay compensation to the child as there was no lasting physical damage after the incident.

A spokesman for the school said: “A member of staff has been suspended while an internal investigation takes place following the conclusion of criminal proceedings.”