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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| '120mph crash' head faces hearing | '120mph crash' head faces hearing |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A head teacher, who was jailed for dangerous driving, will find out if he is to be struck off at a professional conduct hearing. | |
| Paul Davies, 52, of Hirwaun, Cynon valley, left another motorist in a wheelchair after a head-on crash. | |
| Governors allowed Mr Davies to return to his job at Cwmdare Primary School after his early release from prison. | Governors allowed Mr Davies to return to his job at Cwmdare Primary School after his early release from prison. |
| The General Teaching Council for Wales said his conviction had brought the teaching profession into disrepute. | |
| The hearing in Cardiff on Monday will now decide what sanctions Mr Davies should face. | |
| The General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) can suspend or remove a teacher. | |
| It said a decision on Mr Davies' future would be made on the facts of the case. | It said a decision on Mr Davies' future would be made on the facts of the case. |
| The hearing in Cardiff opened with details of the court case being given. | The hearing in Cardiff opened with details of the court case being given. |
| The head-on collision happened in May 2006 on the A465 heads of the valleys road. | The head-on collision happened in May 2006 on the A465 heads of the valleys road. |
| 'Severely injured' | 'Severely injured' |
| Kelvin Palmer spent 10 months in hospital and is now forced to live in a respite care centre 30 miles from his home as a result of the crash. | Kelvin Palmer spent 10 months in hospital and is now forced to live in a respite care centre 30 miles from his home as a result of the crash. |
| Presenting officer Margaret Bromley, outlining the case on behalf of the council, told the hearing Mr Davies was driving too quickly for the "awful" road conditions, which had become hazardous because of rain. | |
| One witness said Mr Davies was driving at 120mph. | |
| He crashed into Mr Palmer's car with such a force the victim's engine and gear box flew out of his car and hit another vehicle, the committee was told. | |
| Mr Palmer was left "severely" injured and Mr Davies's driving had had an "absolutely devastating" effect on him, Ms Bromley said. | Mr Palmer was left "severely" injured and Mr Davies's driving had had an "absolutely devastating" effect on him, Ms Bromley said. |
| "He has been unable to return to his job and his family in the way Mr Davies has been able to do," she said. | "He has been unable to return to his job and his family in the way Mr Davies has been able to do," she said. |
| Mr Davies was sentenced to 15 months in jail last year after one witness said she believed his Subaru Impreza was travelling at up to 120mph. | Mr Davies was sentenced to 15 months in jail last year after one witness said she believed his Subaru Impreza was travelling at up to 120mph. |
| Last September, he was released early from prison on licence and had to wear an electronic tag. | Last September, he was released early from prison on licence and had to wear an electronic tag. |
| Kelvin Palmer spent 10 months in hospital and uses a wheelchair | Kelvin Palmer spent 10 months in hospital and uses a wheelchair |
| Governors of Cwmdare Primary allowed Mr Davies to return to work last month despite Rhondda Cynon Taf Council advising them to wait. | Governors of Cwmdare Primary allowed Mr Davies to return to work last month despite Rhondda Cynon Taf Council advising them to wait. |
| The council said the results of an inquiry into the case by the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) should be known before he returned. | The council said the results of an inquiry into the case by the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) should be known before he returned. |
| The GTCW has been investigating Mr Davies after his case was referred to them by South Wales Police. | The GTCW has been investigating Mr Davies after his case was referred to them by South Wales Police. |
| Mr Palmer, who was injured in the crash, had previously criticised the governors for planning to reinstate Davies and said he was very upset and angry he was being allowed to return. | Mr Palmer, who was injured in the crash, had previously criticised the governors for planning to reinstate Davies and said he was very upset and angry he was being allowed to return. |
| At the time, he said: "These people are supposed to set a good example to our young people. | At the time, he said: "These people are supposed to set a good example to our young people. |
| "We put them up on a pedestal and this chap has clearly fallen off the pedestal." | "We put them up on a pedestal and this chap has clearly fallen off the pedestal." |
| Mr Davies, then aged 51, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court after Judge Stephen Hopkins described his driving in wet and windy conditions as "lunatic". | Mr Davies, then aged 51, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court after Judge Stephen Hopkins described his driving in wet and windy conditions as "lunatic". |
| Judge Hopkins said: "Fifty one you may have been but you drive with the mentality of a boy racer." | Judge Hopkins said: "Fifty one you may have been but you drive with the mentality of a boy racer." |
| Mr Davies, who received minor injuries in the crash, was also banned from driving for two years and will have to take an extended retest before he is allowed to drive again. |