Primary Teacher Charge With Sex Offences

A teacher in charge of very young children has been charged with 19 sex offences.

Fifty-five-year-old David Thorley, Head of Pembroke Dock Community School in Pembrokeshire, is alleged to have committed the offences between 2003 and 2007 in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

It is understood the charges relate to "sexual touching of children".

Mr Thorley was removed from his duties involving children earlier this year.

Dyfed-Powys Police have issued a statement confirming that a 55-year-old man attended Haverfordwest Police Station in relation to an investigation into sexual offences against children.

He has been charged under section seven of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Mr Thorley has been bailed to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on 1 July.

In other news, it is reported that a primary school teacher who raped a girl from the age of five and took indecent photographs of pupils has sentenced to an indeterminate jail sentence.

Neil Challis, 35, of Chester Green, Derby, was told at Derby Crown Court yesterday, that he must serve a minimum of seven years behind bars.

It is understood that Challis, who taught at 13 schools across Derbyshire, had secretly photographed some of the pupils he taught.

He also pleaded guilty to taking indecent pictures of a child and the possession of 1,000 indecent images of a child.

Det Insp Mark Knibbs of Derbyshire Police said: "He has made everybody believe he is Mr Nice Guy when he isn't.

"He is an evil, predatory paedophile that deserves to be locked up for quite some time."

(DS)