10:47am Tuesday 1st July 2008
A Pembrokeshire headteacher, charged with 19 offences of "sexual touching" is due to appear in front of Haverfordwest magistrates today.
David Thorley has been charged under the Sexual Offences Act following two separate arrests and months of police investigation.
A statement from Dyfed-Powys Police read: "Dyfed-Powys Police can confirm that on Friday, June 6th 2008 a 55-year-old man answered bail at Haverfordwest police station in relation to an investigation into sexual offences against children.
"He was charged with nineteen offences of sexual touching under section seven of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The offences were committed between 2003 and 2007 in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.
"He was bailed to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 1st."
Mr Thorley was first arrested after a complaint was made against him last year.
Pembrokeshire County Council responded to the allegations by assigning the senior employee to duties which did not involve contact with children.
Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed today (Tuesday)that Thorley has now been suspended from his post as headteacher.
A second arrest was made on May 2nd this year after further complaints were made by residents from Gloucestershire, where Mr Thorley had previously worked at two primary schools.
Mr Thorley worked as a teacher in Gloucestershire between 1975 and 1990, but it is not believed that there have been any allegations against Mr Thorley in relation to this period.
Rather, the complaints from Gloucestershire related to alleged offences in the west Wales area between 2004 and 2006.
The headteacher's duties are currently being undertaken by an acting headteacher.
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