A coach in Halifax County, identified as 37-year-old Paul Nicholson Jr. of Enfield, was arrested on Thursday following an alleged assault on a student. The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office received a call on December 20th reporting the incident at Southeast Collegiate Preparatory Academy in Halifax. After an investigation in collaboration with the school’s resource officer, Nicholson was charged with felony assault by strangulation.
According to Halifax County Schools Spokesperson Darian Pressley, Nicholson served as a volunteer basketball coach and was not an employee of the school system. Pressley clarified that Nicholson is no longer associated with Halifax County Schools. The coach was taken into custody and transported to Halifax County Jail, where he received a $2500 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court soon.
Efforts to contact Halifax County Schools for additional information were unsuccessful, and Nicholson’s name does not appear on the school’s staff directory on its website. The incident underscores the importance of ensuring a safe and secure environment for students, prompting swift action from law enforcement and school officials in response to the alleged assault.