A former Team GB Paralympian has been exposed as a cruel sports coach after shocking footage revealed him attacking a child with special needs.
Oliver Nugent, once hailed as a poster boy for cerebral palsy football after representing Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, was caught on a BBC Panorama undercover investigation placing a vulnerable pupil in a headlock and forcing him to the floor.
The shocking fall from grace has left a stain on his once inspiring sporting career.
From Paralympic glory to criminal court
Nugent, from Wirral, had once been tipped for greatness. He overcame childhood health struggles after a stroke at birth and became a star at grassroots level, playing for clubs including Tranmere Rovers and Chester FC.
He dreamed of becoming the first professional footballer with cerebral palsy. In his late teens, he even led England’s CP team to a strong showing at the World Championships.
But his name hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons last year when BBC cameras caught the then sports coach abusing children at Life Wirral, a school for youngsters with autism and ADHD.
Undercover reporter captured disturbing abuse
A covertly-filmed clip showed Nugent leading a sports session at Leasowe Recreation Centre before dragging a child to the ground and holding him down by his neck.
The shocking moment formed part of the documentary Panorama: Cruelty in the Classroom, aired in June 2024. The programme triggered a police probe and saw Nugent, along with two other staff members, arrested and charged.
In court, the boy’s devastated mother said the incident had destroyed his trust in adults and left him traumatised. “He spends much of his time isolated in his bedroom. Everything resembling school or learning causes overwhelming anxiety.”
Nugent walked free despite court’s damning words
Despite the footage and the serious impact on the child, Nugent, now 25, walked free from Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this week.
He admitted assault by beating and was handed a 12-week sentence suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days and pay £450 in costs and £200 compensation to the victim.
District Judge James Hatton blasted Nugent for his “arrogance, unkindness and unsuitability” and said he had “failed the child very badly”. The judge said the assault caused “more than minor psychological harm” but accepted Nugent’s “previously good character” and the “toxic culture” at the school were mitigating factors.
Toxic culture exposed at scandal-hit school
Nugent’s barrister blamed the “toxic” environment at Life Wirral, claiming violent and threatening behaviour from staff was common and became normalised.
During sentencing, the judge said senior management had prioritised money over care and described the school as “awfully mismanaged from the top down”.
Two other coaches were previously convicted over incidents at the school. Elliot Millar, 22, was jailed for 12 weeks for assaults and threatening behaviour. Daniel McNulty-Doyle, also 22, was fined for abusive behaviour towards pupils.
The end of Life Wirral
The scandal ultimately forced the closure of Life Wirral. Companies linked to the school and its boss Alastair Saverimutto have since been wound up.
The disgraced school site has now been earmarked for redevelopment into “high-end apartments”.
Police and prosecutors condemn ‘betrayal’ of vulnerable pupils
Following the investigation, Merseyside Police and the CPS condemned the actions of Nugent and his colleagues.
Senior Crown prosecutor Matthew Dixon said: “These three men betrayed vulnerable pupils in their care. Had it not been for the undercover reporter, this abuse would have continued in secret.”
The disgrace marked a dramatic fall from grace for Nugent — once a Paralympic star tipped for greatness, now a convicted abuser barred from working with children.
