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| 'Boy racer' head teacher sacked | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A primary school head teacher who was jailed for 15 months after a high-speed crash has been dismissed. | |
| Paul Davies, 51, who worked at Cwmdare primary in the Cynon Valley, was said by the judge who sentenced him to have had the "mentality of a boy racer". | |
| The school governing body disciplinary panel made the decision to dismiss him. | |
| It said the decision remained subject to appeal proceedings and it would make no further comment. Miss Santos remains acting head teacher, it said. | |
| Paul Davies, who returned to work at Cwmdare in January, was struck off by the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) a month later for bringing the profession into disrepute. | |
| At the time, he was told he could not reapply to the register for at least two years, but could appeal. | |
| Governors had allowed Mr Davies to return to his job following his early release in September from jail for dangerous driving. | |
| I'm surprised it has taken nearly two months to come to the decision and they are only talking about firing him now Kelvin Palmer | |
| It followed a crash in 2006 which left another driver, Kelvin Palmer, in a wheelchair. | |
| Mr Palmer said: "I'm surprised it has taken nearly two months to come to the decision and they are only talking about firing him now." | Mr Palmer said: "I'm surprised it has taken nearly two months to come to the decision and they are only talking about firing him now." |
| Head-on crash | Head-on crash |
| Mr Davies's driving in wet and windy conditions was described as "lunatic" and as having the "mentality of a boy racer," by the judge during sentencing. | Mr Davies's driving in wet and windy conditions was described as "lunatic" and as having the "mentality of a boy racer," by the judge during sentencing. |
| The court heard Mr Davies's car, a Subaru Impreza, was travelling at up to 120mph at the time of the crash. | The court heard Mr Davies's car, a Subaru Impreza, was travelling at up to 120mph at the time of the crash. |
| Mr Davies lost control of his car and hit Mr Palmer's car head-on. | Mr Davies lost control of his car and hit Mr Palmer's car head-on. |
| Mr Palmer had to spend 10 months in hospital and is now forced to live in a respite care centre 30 miles from his home. | Mr Palmer had to spend 10 months in hospital and is now forced to live in a respite care centre 30 miles from his home. |
| During the GTCW committee hearing, Mr Davies said in a statement: "As well as serving a prison sentence, I will always have to carry the burden of guilt of knowing I am responsible for causing the serious injuries sustained by Mr Palmer." | During the GTCW committee hearing, Mr Davies said in a statement: "As well as serving a prison sentence, I will always have to carry the burden of guilt of knowing I am responsible for causing the serious injuries sustained by Mr Palmer." |
| He accepted that his speed was too high, but claimed he had not been driving at more than 60mph. | He accepted that his speed was too high, but claimed he had not been driving at more than 60mph. |
| Mr Davies told the council panel: "The accident and its consequences will always remain with me, but I ask that it should neither define me nor end my professional career." | Mr Davies told the council panel: "The accident and its consequences will always remain with me, but I ask that it should neither define me nor end my professional career." |