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Teacher sacking over row unfair Teacher sacking over row unfair
(about 4 hours later)
A Swansea teacher sacked following allegations that he kicked and punched his daughter was unfairly dismissed, an employment tribunal has ruled. A teacher sacked after unfounded claims he kicked and punched his daughter was unfairly dismissed, an employment tribunal has ruled.
David Aldridge was suspended from Olchfa Comprehensive School in Swansea, in December 2005. David Aldridge was suspended from Olchfa Comprehensive in Swansea, in December 2005. He was later sacked.
His daughter, then a pupil at the school, is alleged to have told friends he abused during a row at home - a claim she later denied. His daughter, then a pupil at the school, is alleged to have told friends he abused her during a row at home - a claim she later denied.
Mr Aldridge was arrested but no charges were brought. The school said its governors were disappointed by the decision.
The tribunal heard that Mr Aldridge admitted slapping his daughter Siobhan but strenuously denied any serious assault. The tribunal had heard that Mr Aldridge - who had an unblemished record over 31 years of teaching - admitted slapping his daughter Sioban but strenuously denied any serious assault.
We had an altercation and there was an exchange of slaps but, to my dying day, I absolutely refute the charge that I punched or kicked her Teacher David AldridgeWe had an altercation and there was an exchange of slaps but, to my dying day, I absolutely refute the charge that I punched or kicked her Teacher David Aldridge
It is claimed that she had told school friends about the incident and it came to the attention of school authorities. The hearing was told his daughter told school friends about an incident at home and claimed she was kicked and punched. The allegations came to the attention of school authorities.
Mr Adridge was later dismissed by school governors. His daughter denies ever telling friends she was kicked or punched.Mr Adridge was later dismissed by school governors. His daughter denies ever telling friends she was kicked or punched.
Lawyers for the teacher, now working in a private school, are preparing a bid for compensation. Geta Aldridge had given evidence to the hearing saying her husband had never punched or kicked their daughter.
Giving evidence to the tribunal, Mr Aldridge said he would always regret slapping Siobhan after she came home late one night. She said the row began when Sioban returned home late for the second night in a row.
"We had an altercation and there was an exchange of slaps but, to my dying day, I absolutely refute the charge that I punched or kicked her," he said. Mrs Aldridge said: "Both of them sustained cuts. I gave them toilet paper to mop up the cuts on their faces."
The hearing was told he was supended on 15 December 2005 but only learnt the full extent of the allegations six days later when he went to the local police station and was arrested. Her daughter had left the house after the argument, on what Mrs Aldridge described as a "fraught" night for the family.
In its judgement, the tribunal said there was no evidence the school disciplinary panel had reasonably considered Mr Aldridge's evidence that a sustained assault had not occured and that much of the evidence it did consider was hearsay.
Giving evidence to the tribunal, Mr Aldridge - now working in a private school - said he would always regret slapping Sioban after she came home late one night.
The disciplinary hearing heard from pupilsThe disciplinary hearing heard from pupils
"We had an altercation and there was an exchange of slaps but, to my dying day, I absolutely refute the charge that I punched or kicked her," he said.
The hearing was told he was supended on 15 December 2005 but only learned the full extent of the allegations six days later when he went to the local police station. He was arrested but no charges were brought.
National Union of Teachers representative Peggy George told the hearing she had known Mr Aldridge for 31 years, that she did not believe the allegations and that she did not feel the issue was a school matter.National Union of Teachers representative Peggy George told the hearing she had known Mr Aldridge for 31 years, that she did not believe the allegations and that she did not feel the issue was a school matter.
School governor Karen Holland said there was no reason not to believe six of the teenager's friends when they told the disciplinary hearing she had been assaulted - even though Siobhan told the hearing they were mistaken. School governor Karen Holland said there was no reason not to believe six of the teenager's friends when they told the disciplinary hearing she had been assaulted - even though Sioban told the hearing they were mistaken.
"That was the first time I realised what I was being accused of," said Mr Aldridge.
Solicitor Lyndsey Ryan, acting for Mr Aldridge, said he was relieved by the judgement.Solicitor Lyndsey Ryan, acting for Mr Aldridge, said he was relieved by the judgement.
Claims for compensation are now being prepared which could run into thousands of pounds.Claims for compensation are now being prepared which could run into thousands of pounds.
Reacting to the tribunal's decision, the school issued a statement saying it governors believed that evidence they considered was compelling.
"The school takes its duty of care to its pupils extremely seriously and acted appropriately at all times," it read.
A spokesman said the governing body would take legal advice before considering its position.