A Romford man who was preyed on by a paedophile teacher says he is turning to the civil courts after feeling let down by the criminal justice system.

Andre Tyndall, 47, said he has been left so disillusioned that if he is ever called upon for jury service, he will refuse.

He is now preparing to sue Havering Council for employing a paedophile in one of its schools for decades.

Four more complainants have already come forward to join the suit.

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Andre testified last year against Michael Quinlan, a former PE teacher at the Royal Liberty School. 

But he was left disgusted when, after being convicted of four offences, Quinlan walked free. 

“I want the truth,” said Andre.

“At the very least, I want an acknowledgement that for 20 years there was a paedophile who had the run of the Royal Liberty PE department.” 

This Is Local London: The Royal Liberty School, in Upper Brentwood Road, Romford, as it looked when Michael Quinlan was first investigated in 2003The Royal Liberty School, in Upper Brentwood Road, Romford, as it looked when Michael Quinlan was first investigated in 2003 (Image: Newsquest)

Abuse of power 

Andre, a Royal Liberty pupil in the 1980s, said he felt compelled to come forward after the Harvey Weinstein revelations sparked the “MeToo” movement. 

“Seeing these constant things about people abusing their power,” he said.  

“There was just so much of it. I don’t think it was just about paedophilia. It was about men. Aggressive, macho men who think they can do what they want - with a man, woman or child. 

“I was watching that all unravel – people just doing what they want, and non-disclosure agreements and people just getting told to shut up.” 

He filed an online police report in 2019 about his abuse by Quinlan. 

Andre wasn’t the only person to come forward. Last spring the case went to trial. 

Quinlan, 73, then of Kelvedon Road, Chelmsford, was convicted of one count of indecent assault on a male, and three counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14. 

They were not his first convictions. 

This Is Local London: The Romford Recorder reported in December 2003 on an investigation into a Royal Liberty School teacher, who later turned out to be Michael QuinlanThe Romford Recorder reported in December 2003 on an investigation into a Royal Liberty School teacher, who later turned out to be Michael Quinlan (Image: Newsquest)

Prior convictions 

In 2003, while still working at the school, Quinlan was investigated by police. 

The following year he pleaded guilty to indecent assault on a male under 16, gross indecency with a male under 16 and sexual activity with a person under 18 while in a position of trust.

All of those crimes were committed in 2003. 

He was jailed for 15 months and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years. 

The Recorder covered the case.  

Quinlan made children swim nude with him in the school pool and rubbed suncream into a boy’s buttocks. 

Prosecutor Pam Oon told the court: “The door would be padlocked from the inside and when he heard noises from outside he would tell the boys to put their trunks back on.” 

Judge Timothy King said Quinlan had been “targeting pupils for your brand of voyeurism or sexuality”. 

This Is Local London: In November 2004, the Romford Recorder reported on the first convictions of paedophile PE teacher Michael QuinlanIn November 2004, the Romford Recorder reported on the first convictions of paedophile PE teacher Michael Quinlan (Image: Newsquest)

Sentence 'shock'

Last year, Quinlan was convicted of indecently assaulting even younger children, years earlier.

“The police officers said, ‘Oh, without a doubt, Quinlan is going to prison’," Andre claimed.

So he was left “in shock” when Quinlan was given a 22 months suspended jail sentence.  

In Andre's view, two weeks in prison would have been a more severe punishment. 

This Is Local London: Andre Tyndall said he was so disillusioned with the criminal justice system that he would refuse to ever sit on a juryAndre Tyndall said he was so disillusioned with the criminal justice system that he would refuse to ever sit on a jury (Image: Charles Thomson)

Afterwards, he said: “I drove up and down outside Snaresbrook court, and he came out and he was crossing the road. 

“I could have killed that man. I didn’t. I stopped my car. I could have run him over and I didn’t - because I’m better than him. I know the difference between right and wrong.” 

But, said Andre, he no longer believes in the system. 

“There’s a social contract,” he explained. 

“I don’t go out and punch someone in the face. I don’t take my car and run people over and do what I like. Because even if I have no sense of right and wrong, I know there are consequences.  

“He got convicted and they don’t send him to prison. So the social contract, as far as I’m concerned, is null and void.” 

If he is ever called upon for jury service, he said: “I am not taking part in that middle-class bull**** parlour game. I would rather go to prison."

The Council

Andrew Grove and Co solicitors has agreed to represent Andre and other complainants on a no-win-no-fee basis, as they seek redress from Havering Council.

Anybody with information can contact solicitor Katherine Yates on 01223 367133 or at katherine@andrewgroveandco.com. 

A council spokesperson said: "We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the offences and allegations in relation to Mr Quinlan and our sympathy goes out to everyone who has suffered.

"We are unable to comment on any potential legal action, however we do want to stress that we have strict policies and procedures in place in all our schools to protect Havering pupils."

The Metropolitan Police Service refused to release Mr Quinlan’s mugshot or provide any information which might aid Andre’s appeal.