School worker collapses and dies after man threatens her during row with staff

Receptionist tells court Karen Doyle appeared visibly upset before slumping to the floor

Kate Doyle was a former community nurse and children's services manager for Barnardo's (Ebor Academy Trust)

A school worker collapsed and died after a man threatened her during an angry row with staff, a court has heard.

Karen Doyle, 56, slumped to the ground at Haxby Primary Academy in York when 37 year-old Simon Foster vowed to “get” her and come to her home.

Ms Doyle, the school’s safeguarding and wellbeing team leader, was taken to hospital but died two days later of natural causes due to a cerebral aneurysm.

There was no evidence directly linking the incident to her death but Foster was charged with using threatening words and behaviour towards three staff members.

He pleaded guilty to the offences at York Magistrates and was jailed for 18 weeks, plus another eight weeks for breaching an earlier community order relating to illegal dumping of commercial waste.

Foster had gone to the school at the end of the school day on 12 November to speak to staff, according to report of the case in The York Press.

He became angry when staff asked him to wait while parents collected their children.

Foster threatened to return to the school with an axe and smash the windows with a chair, said prosecutor Martin Butterworth.

He then seemed to calm down but after another outburst, Ms Doyle told the receptionist to call 999.

Foster told Ms Doyle: ”I will get you. I am going to come to your home.”

The receptionist said that Ms Doyle appeared visibly upset before she slumped to the ground.

Simon Foster was jailed for using threatening words and behaviour ( SWNS) (SWNS)

Foster’s solicitor Steve Munro said that no violence or weapon had been used and Foster had apologised to the school following his arrest.

“He regrets his behaviour very much,” said Mr Munro. “He hadn’t been drinking – he handled the situation very badly.”

Ms Doyle’s employer, the Ebor Academy Trust, paid tribute to her as a “respected and much loved member of the school community.”

Laura Woodward, head of school at Haxby Road Primary Academy, said: “Karen was caring and thoughtful, professional and also very personable.

“She was passionate about her work for children, families and colleagues. This is such a shock that we’re still coming to terms with and I’m grateful that we have such a strong school community where we can support each other and be sure we continue to put our children first.”

Ms Doyle had previously worked as a community nurse and a children’s services manager for the Barnardo’s charity. In an obituary printed in The Guardian, her husband Keith wrote: “Karen was vibrant and full of life. Some people have a way about them, a special gift for connecting and understanding. Karen was one of the very best.”