Teaching assistant ‘can’t remember why’ she spat in child’s face in police interrogation

This is the moment a teaching assistant tries to remember why she spat in a young pupil’s face.

Danuska Pullia, 47, was spotted by colleagues hitting, pinching and even spitting in the face of pupils at her Kent school between September 2021 and July 2023.

She told an investigating officer at a voluntary interview: ‘She spat at me first I didn’t react, she did it again, I didn’t react. I don’t know why I did the third time though.’

‘I can’t remember why I did it no,’ she added. ‘I spat, not really in her face. I don’t know why I did it. But I know she did it to me – maybe twice.’

Another colleague reported watching Pullia pinch the nose of a different pupil who stole food from another.

She said: ‘Yes I pinched his nose so I could take the chocolate out of his mouth.’

Asked what training she had to carry out these acts, she admitted ‘none’.

In a voluntary interview that July, Pullia denied most of the allegations or claimed they didn’t take place as reported.

Being charged with four counts of child cruelty in December 2023, she pleaded not guilty to all the offences.

In November 2025, a Maidstone Crown Court jury unanimously found her guilty of all charges.

Pullia, of White Satin Close, Iwade, was sentenced to four years in jail.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Hollie Kent said: ‘Pullia was entrusted with the care of vulnerable children and utterly failed in that responsibility.

‘Her actions have had a lasting impact on her victims, many of whom weren’t able to speak out for themselves as to what happened. We are very grateful to the families and guardians of the children affected for their support throughout our enquiries.

‘Pullia presents a danger to children and we are very pleased our investigation has stopped her from being around any for a long time.’