Woman "distressed" at alleged headteacher incident (From Western Telegraph)

Woman "distressed" at alleged headteacher incident

3:04pm Friday 15th May 2009 in County News

A woman became so concerned after she witnessed a Pembrokeshire headteacher examine a little girl's private parts that she secretly contacted the local education authority, a jury heard yesterday (Thursday).

Amelia Stone said she was shocked and distressed by the incident and wanted guidance from a child protection unit as to what to do about it.

The headmaster David Bryan Thorley, aged 56, denies 19 charges of sexually assaulting 12 young girls.

"It was a traumatic experience as far as I was concerned," she said. "I didn't know what to do."

She said she telephoned Pembrokeshire County Council and, without giving the name of the school, asked for guidance.

She was told the right person was not available and that someone would contact her but they never did.

After hearing that Thorley had been arrested she contacted the police and complained of the incident.

Cross examined by Thorley's barrister, Marian Lewis, she denied making up the story.

"I would never make up something like that," she replied.

Miss Lewis said the girl concerned had never complained of being examined by Thorley and there was no record at Pembrokeshire County Council of her telephone call.

Miss Lewis said the girl was examined but not by Thorley.

Miss Stone said she was sure about what she had seen.

Thorley, of Bryn Heulog, Heol Penlanffos, Carmarthen, denies all the charges against him.

The jury has heard allegations that Thorley had "an unhealthy" attitude towards young girls and took advantage of them.

Police found that Thorley had maintained a "blue book" in which he had recorded several occasions during which he had applied creams and other medication exclusively to girls, said Huw Rees, prosecuting.

The girls were approached by police. Some told how Thorley had pulled down their trousers and knickers to apply cream, and one described how he had examined her.

"These are physical examinations of children which the prosecution say were wholly inappropriate," added Mr Rees. "Their parents had not been asked to consent and were not even informed."

During police interviews Thorley admitted the treatments had been applied but he denied there had been a sexual motive or that he had received sexual gratification.

He said he felt it was his duty under child protection guidelines to treat the children.

The trial continues.