Two-year sentence for sex assault head teacher

A Swansea head teacher has been sentenced to two years in prison over sexual assaulting children in his care.

David Thorley, 56, was convicted of nine counts on pupils and the children of family and friends during the trial in May.

He was cleared of a further ten at the time but was warned when found guilty that a jail sentence was "inevitable".

During the trial, the prosecution had told the jury of Thorley's "unhealthy interest" in young girls and his abuse of his position of trust.

The court heard he had intimately touched young girls after taking off their trousers on the pretext of applying medicinal cream.

Thorley had described the prosecution as a "tragedy" and said the allegations had broken the hearts of his family.

Passing sentencing at Swansea crown court today, judge Michael Burr told Thorley he would serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.

He is expected to lodge an appeal.