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Head guilty of nine sex charges Head guilty of nine sex charges
(about 3 hours later)
A primary school head teacher has been found guilty of nine sex assault charges against children.A primary school head teacher has been found guilty of nine sex assault charges against children.
David Thorley, 56, from Carmarthen who had denied charges of sexually assaulting five girls was cleared of two of the 11 charges. David Thorley, 56, from Carmarthen, who had denied charges of sexually assaulting five girls was cleared of two of the 11 charges.
Eight of the original 19 charges were withdrawn at Swansea Crown Court after Judge Michael Burr said they lacked "evidence of quality".Eight of the original 19 charges were withdrawn at Swansea Crown Court after Judge Michael Burr said they lacked "evidence of quality".
Thorley was bailed to reappear before the judge for sentence at a later date. The judge told Thorley that a custodial sentence seemed inevitable.
During the trial the court had heard allegations that Thorley had "an unhealthy interest in young girls" and took advantage of them under the pretext of applying creams or other medications. Judge Michael Burr told the head teacher he was willing to adjourn sentence until a probation officer had prepared a report into his background.
Sexual gratification The sentencing hearing will either be at the end of June or early July.
Judge Michael Burr had said that in many of the instances described to the court there had been "absolutely no evidence at all of sexual touching." The chances of anything other than a custodial sentence are not very high Judge Michael Burr
He said there was only one issue in the case - did Thorley derive sexual gratification from his behaviour towards the children he was accused of assaulting. The trial jury had heard how Thorley had "an unhealthy interest in young girls" and he had abused his position to sexually assault them.
In one incident, Huw Rees, prosecuting, said Thorley had engineered a situation where he could apply talcum powder to the private parts of two girls. Under the pretext of applying medicinal cream or taking the girls to the toilet, he had taken down their trousers and pants and touched them intimately.
But Thorley claimed it was totally untrue and he had taken them swimming because he had been asked to. Thorley was also convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls after taking them swimming.
During police interviews the head teacher had admitted treatments had been applied but denied there had been a sexual motive or that he had received sexual gratification. The head teacher denied all the allegations and said he had behaved according to child protection guidelines.
He said he felt it was his duty under child protection guidelines to treat the children and he had always ensured a female member of staff was present. He said some of the examinations had in fact been carried out by women staff members.
The jury also heard that Thorley had the "full support" of his staff, and he was described by teachers as "a respected leader who cared for children". Affairs in order
Denial His barrister, Marian Lewis, said she would try to persuade the judge not to jail him.
Although a former teaching assistant told the jury how she saw Thorley carry out an intimate examination of a young girl in the presence of other staff members. But the judge said: "The inevitability is custody. I can't see any other consequence. I'm certain."
She said she did not believe what he was doing was right and went against everything she had been taught about child protection. Judge Burr said he was willing to consider a pre sentence report because it might reveal something about Thorley that he was not aware of.
During the trial, Thorley spoke of his "complete devastation" brought about by his prosecution. But he repeated: "The chances of anything other than a custodial sentence are not very high."
He had described the Pembrokeshire school as a "lovely place, great children, great staff. I'm very proud of it". Thorley was granted bail in the meantime. Miss Lewis said it would give him time to put his affairs in order.
Asked why certain allegations had been made against him he said he believed that "malign influences" had been involved. The jury had heard how Thorley, had risen to the top of his profession and had been appointed a lead inspector of schools by Estyn, Wales' official schools inspection body.
He said there had been "a devastating sequence of events that resulted from press publicity about my arrest". Thorley is currently suspended from his post and will remain so until the matter is resolved Gerson Davies, Pembrokeshire Council
During his trial he described his prosecution as "devastating." He told the jury, "It's a tragedy. It's broken our hearts."
A large group of supporters packed into the court and many broke down in tears as the jury foreman announced the verdicts.
Afterwards, Pembrokeshire Director of Education, Gerson Davies, said the school governors would now set in motion a process required by the Welsh Assembly Government.
"This involves the school's staff disciplinary committee appointing an independent investigator to report his findings on the case," explained Mr Davies.
"The guidelines make it quite clear that the investigation must be undertaken by an independent person with no links or bias towards either pupils or the member of staff involved.
Distressing chapter
"The guidelines also state the investigation must take place prior to the governing body commencing any disciplinary proceedings.
"Mr Thorley is currently suspended from his post and will remain so until the matter is resolved," Mr Davies added.
Dyfed-Powys Police issued a statement at the end of trial saying the force "carried out a thorough, prolonged and professional investigation which has resulted in today's verdict.
"It is important to remember that this case represents children who were subjected to abuse by someone in a position of trust," said the force.
"We hope the verdict will help the families bring some form of closure on this distressing chapter of their lives.
"This case should send a clear message to others who may believe they can use their professional position to target the vulnerable in our communities."