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Teacher's regret at daughter slap Teacher's regret at daughter slap
(1 day later)
A Swansea maths teacher sacked over allegations he assaulted his daughter told a tribunal that he would "always regret" slapping her.A Swansea maths teacher sacked over allegations he assaulted his daughter told a tribunal that he would "always regret" slapping her.
David Aldridge was suspended after his daughter then a sixth-former, allegedly told friends he had punched and kicked her at home, which he denies.David Aldridge was suspended after his daughter then a sixth-former, allegedly told friends he had punched and kicked her at home, which he denies.
No charges were brought after a police investigation, but he was dismissed by Olchfa Comprehensive School governors.No charges were brought after a police investigation, but he was dismissed by Olchfa Comprehensive School governors.
He is claiming unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal in Cardiff.He is claiming unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal in Cardiff.
The tribunal heard on Wednesday that Mr Aldridge's daughter Sioban had allegedly told teachers and fellow pupils that an incident had taken place on 10 December 2005.The tribunal heard on Wednesday that Mr Aldridge's daughter Sioban had allegedly told teachers and fellow pupils that an incident had taken place on 10 December 2005.
The former head of year nine was sacked for gross misconduct after school governors carried out their own inquiry.The former head of year nine was sacked for gross misconduct after school governors carried out their own inquiry.
In 31 years I have never been any threat to any pupil in Olchfa David AldridgeIn 31 years I have never been any threat to any pupil in Olchfa David Aldridge
Giving evidence on Thursday, Mr Aldridge, who lives in Swansea, denied that he had assaulted his daughter.Giving evidence on Thursday, Mr Aldridge, who lives in Swansea, denied that he had assaulted his daughter.
He said: "To my dying day, I absolutely refute the charge that I either punched or kicked Sioban.He said: "To my dying day, I absolutely refute the charge that I either punched or kicked Sioban.
"We had an altercation and there was an exchange of slaps I regret to say, and I will always regret that.""We had an altercation and there was an exchange of slaps I regret to say, and I will always regret that."
He admitted they had a "difficult relationship" and had argued, but said allegations that he was responsible for any injuries were "absolutely untrue".He admitted they had a "difficult relationship" and had argued, but said allegations that he was responsible for any injuries were "absolutely untrue".
He added that he had felt "very guilty" about the fact they had slapped each other and that he was sorry things had "got out of hand".He added that he had felt "very guilty" about the fact they had slapped each other and that he was sorry things had "got out of hand".
The tribunal previously heard how Mr Aldridge was called into head teacher Hugh Davies's office on 15 December 2005 and was told he was suspended.The tribunal previously heard how Mr Aldridge was called into head teacher Hugh Davies's office on 15 December 2005 and was told he was suspended.
Mr Aldridge told the tribunal he could not understand why suspension had to be considered, as it was something that had happened in the family home.Mr Aldridge told the tribunal he could not understand why suspension had to be considered, as it was something that had happened in the family home.
He said his main concern had been for his pupils who were due to take exams later that academic year.He said his main concern had been for his pupils who were due to take exams later that academic year.
He added: "In 31 years I have never been any threat to any pupil in Olchfa."He added: "In 31 years I have never been any threat to any pupil in Olchfa."
The tribunal heard Mr Aldridge had only learned the extent of the allegations on 21 December, when he attended a local police station and was arrested.The tribunal heard Mr Aldridge had only learned the extent of the allegations on 21 December, when he attended a local police station and was arrested.
He said: "That was the first time I realised that what I was actually being accused of was not a one-off incident at home, regrettable though that was, but a much more serious allegation of punching and kicking."He said: "That was the first time I realised that what I was actually being accused of was not a one-off incident at home, regrettable though that was, but a much more serious allegation of punching and kicking."
During the school's investigation, Mr Aldridge said his daughter had told him other pupils had felt "pressurised" to make statements, and that she denied saying anything to friends about the alleged assault.During the school's investigation, Mr Aldridge said his daughter had told him other pupils had felt "pressurised" to make statements, and that she denied saying anything to friends about the alleged assault.
National Union of Teachers (NUT) representative Peggy George, who said she had known Mr Aldridge for 31 years, told the tribunal an argument had started because Sioban had returned home at midnight on Saturday 10 December 2005.National Union of Teachers (NUT) representative Peggy George, who said she had known Mr Aldridge for 31 years, told the tribunal an argument had started because Sioban had returned home at midnight on Saturday 10 December 2005.
Sioban had gone out on the Friday night and arrived home around 0330 GMT and Mr Aldridge had asked her to come home earlier in future, she said.Sioban had gone out on the Friday night and arrived home around 0330 GMT and Mr Aldridge had asked her to come home earlier in future, she said.
Mr Aldridge "exploded" when Sioban returned at midnight on the Saturday night, the tribunal heard.Mr Aldridge "exploded" when Sioban returned at midnight on the Saturday night, the tribunal heard.
Mrs George said she did not feel the issue was a school matter and added that from an early stage she had not believed that Mr Aldridge had committed the alleged assaults.Mrs George said she did not feel the issue was a school matter and added that from an early stage she had not believed that Mr Aldridge had committed the alleged assaults.
The tribunal had previously heard that six pupils were interviewed by the comprehensive school's disciplinary panel.The tribunal had previously heard that six pupils were interviewed by the comprehensive school's disciplinary panel.
'Mistaken''Mistaken'
School governor Karen Holland had told the tribunal there had been no reason not to believe their evidence.School governor Karen Holland had told the tribunal there had been no reason not to believe their evidence.
However, the tribunal also heard that Sioban had told the school's disciplinary committee that her friends had been "mistaken" when telling the inquiry that she had been assaulted.However, the tribunal also heard that Sioban had told the school's disciplinary committee that her friends had been "mistaken" when telling the inquiry that she had been assaulted.
The tribunal was told that a medical examination on Sioban showed injuries consistent with the allegation, but also consistent with an explanation given by her father.The tribunal was told that a medical examination on Sioban showed injuries consistent with the allegation, but also consistent with an explanation given by her father.
Mrs Holland told the tribunal that making the decision that Mr Aldridge should lose his job had been "very emotional" for her, and he had had an "unblemished" record previously.Mrs Holland told the tribunal that making the decision that Mr Aldridge should lose his job had been "very emotional" for her, and he had had an "unblemished" record previously.
The tribunal is due to finish on Friday.The tribunal is due to finish on Friday.