Abuse charges dropped for Swampscott teacher

SWAMPSCOTT – A Swampscott High School foreign language teacher who was arrested on New Year’s Eve for allegedly assaulting his pregnant wife, will be returning to the classroom this fall.Michael Nickerson, 31, 111 Foster St., Peabody was arrested on Dec. 31, 2007 and was charged with domestic assault and battery and aggravated assault and battery on a pregnant woman.According to court records, the case against Nickerson was “dismissed without prejudice” on April 8 because his wife, who is the alleged victim, exerted marital privilege and refused to testify against her husband.According to police records, Nickerson’s wife, who was also a teacher at Swampscott High School, walked into the Peabody police station accompanied by her sister at approximately 5:50 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2007.According to police reports, Nickerson’s wife told police that she was having a discussion with her husband, which became heated. She claimed when she tried to leave the room Nickerson allegedly swung at her and missed. She told police he then punched her with a closed fist on the right cheek.She told police their son, who was 17 months old at the time, witnessed the attack. She also told police her husband has a temper and on occasion exhibits road rage when their son is in the vehicle.Nickerson’s wife said she grabbed her purse and left the apartment without her son because he was only wearing a shirt at the time.According to police reports, Nickerson’s wife was escorted back to the apartment by Peabody police officers and two family members to retrieve the child. Nickerson was arrested in the hallway of the apartment building following brief questioning by the police.At the time of the incident, Superintendent Matthew Malone declined to comment on the matter except to say it was a personnel matter. Calls to Malone were not returned on Thursday.Principal Larry Murphy said it’s a personnel matter and he declined to comment.Swampscott Education Association President Paul Maguire confirmed Nickerson has been told he has a job with the district if he wants it in September.