City news in 250 words

A GREATER MANCHESTER Police officer has been accused of punching a 12-year-old boy at West Didsbury station last November. PC Daniel Paul Gaffney, 29, will now appear before Warrington Magistrates Court on June 12 charged with section 39 assault. The youth was arrested on suspision of causing criminal damage. An investigation is to be conducted into how the boy sustained his injury.

HUNDREDS of schools are to close on Thrusday as part of a nationwide teacher's union strike. Around 300 schools in Greater Manchester are to close fully and a further 207 schools will be closed for part of the day. The National Union of Teachers has said the strike has come about as a response to the below-inflation pay increases.

ANGIE ROBINSON, the chief executive of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, has returned to work following the news of her affair with the late Greater Manchester Police chief constable, Michael Todd. Robinson took extended leave during the scandal to look after her husband who was recovering from an operation.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has quashed reports that he could be replaced as City manager by the summer. Following the 3-1 victory over Portsmouth, he told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I am not worried at all, absolutely not. I believe I will be sitting in this chair next season. I can understand people not being happy with the second half of the season. My opinion, over the whole season, is that we have done very well."