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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Struck-off head considers appeal | Struck-off head considers appeal |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A Cynon Valley head teacher who has been struck off after being jailed for dangerous driving is considering whether to appeal. | A Cynon Valley head teacher who has been struck off after being jailed for dangerous driving is considering whether to appeal. |
| Paul Davies, 52, has been banned from teaching for at least two years by the General Teaching Council for Wales. | Paul Davies, 52, has been banned from teaching for at least two years by the General Teaching Council for Wales. |
| The governors of Cwmdare primary school where Mr Davies taught are expected to make a statement later. | The governors of Cwmdare primary school where Mr Davies taught are expected to make a statement later. |
| Kelvin Palmer, 49, who is a wheelchair after the accident, says his life will never be the same. | |
| Mr Davies crashed into his car head on in wet and windy conditions on the Heads of the Valleys road in May 2006. | Mr Davies crashed into his car head on in wet and windy conditions on the Heads of the Valleys road in May 2006. |
| Mr Palmer is no longer able to live with his family following the crash which put him in hospital for 10 months. | Mr Palmer is no longer able to live with his family following the crash which put him in hospital for 10 months. |
| Kelvin Palmer said he has not received an apology from Mr Davies | Kelvin Palmer said he has not received an apology from Mr Davies |
| He said: "My life bears no comparison now to what it used to be." | He said: "My life bears no comparison now to what it used to be." |
| Mr Palmer was at the professional misconduct hearing in Cardiff on Monday. | Mr Palmer was at the professional misconduct hearing in Cardiff on Monday. |
| The panel heard how Mr Davies was jailed for 15 months last year after Newport Crown Court Judge Stephen Hopkins described his driving as "lunatic" and as having the "mentality of a boy racer." | The panel heard how Mr Davies was jailed for 15 months last year after Newport Crown Court Judge Stephen Hopkins described his driving as "lunatic" and as having the "mentality of a boy racer." |
| The hearing was told the head teacher driving on the A465 heads of the valleys road - one witness at his trial said she believed his Subaru Impreza was travelling at up to 120mph had had an "absolutely devastating" effect on Mr Palmer's life. | The hearing was told the head teacher driving on the A465 heads of the valleys road - one witness at his trial said she believed his Subaru Impreza was travelling at up to 120mph had had an "absolutely devastating" effect on Mr Palmer's life. |
| A statement from Mr Davies was read to the GTCW committee, saying he would always have to carry the "burden of guilt" of knowing he was responsible for Mr Palmer's serious injuries. | A statement from Mr Davies was read to the GTCW committee, saying he would always have to carry the "burden of guilt" of knowing he was responsible for Mr Palmer's serious injuries. |
| 'Absolutely awful' | 'Absolutely awful' |
| After a three-hour deliberation, the panel recognised that Mr Davies had apologised, but said they were "not convinced" that he had "insight into his failings in dangerous driving". | After a three-hour deliberation, the panel recognised that Mr Davies had apologised, but said they were "not convinced" that he had "insight into his failings in dangerous driving". |
| Mr Palmer, speaking after the hearing, said he had yet to receive an apology from Mr Davies. | Mr Palmer, speaking after the hearing, said he had yet to receive an apology from Mr Davies. |
| He said: "I'm suffering from a series of injuries. The words he's said are just for the media. He's had many opportunities, he's never taken those opportunities." | He said: "I'm suffering from a series of injuries. The words he's said are just for the media. He's had many opportunities, he's never taken those opportunities." |
| "This guy can go home an live with his partner, whoever. I can't. I'm not living with my family. It's been absolutely awful." | "This guy can go home an live with his partner, whoever. I can't. I'm not living with my family. It's been absolutely awful." |
| Mr Davies, from Hirwaun, Cynon Valley, has 28 days to appeal against being struck off. | Mr Davies, from Hirwaun, Cynon Valley, has 28 days to appeal against being struck off. |
| His union, the NAHT, said it "regretted" the severity of the sanction, "especially in the light of his excellent record as a head teacher and his previously good driving record." | His union, the NAHT, said it "regretted" the severity of the sanction, "especially in the light of his excellent record as a head teacher and his previously good driving record." |
| It said: "The accident was simply that: an accident, a one-off aberration. Mr Davies has always expressed his profound regret to Mr Palmer - and continues to do so." | It said: "The accident was simply that: an accident, a one-off aberration. Mr Davies has always expressed his profound regret to Mr Palmer - and continues to do so." |