A Pembrokeshire head teacher convicted of nine counts of sexually assaulting girls in his care has lost an appeal against his conviction.
Mrs Justice Swift said the three appeal court judges had “scrutinised with considerable care” but could not grant David Thorley’s appeal.
Thorley, 57, from Carmarthen, was jailed for two years in July after being convicted at Swansea Crown Court.
The prosecution said he had shown “an unhealthy interest in young girls”.
They said he had used his position of trust to gain access to the children, some of whom were pupils, others the daughters of family friends.
Mr Thorley was said to have undressed and touched one 10-year-old pupil while taking her to the toilet during a visit to a hospital accident and emergency unit…
… Mrs Justice Swift outlined the three judges’ decision in a ruling which took just under an hour to deliver, dismissing all 11 grounds for appeal.
Thorley will now be returned to Usk prison in Monmouthshire and will be released on licence in July, when he has served 12 months of his two-year term.
His wife Mary and the couple’s son, 18, left the court visibly distressed.
Annie Hovey from the head teachers’ union the NAHT expressed her disappointment at the decision.
She said the appeal process had now been exhausted, but she added that friends and colleagues of Mr Thorley remained convinced of his innocence.
About BBC