Richard James Pugh, former head of science at Llangatwg Group Faculty in Neath, ‘couldn’t inform the reality even at this late stage’, mentioned a choose
A instructor who equipped alcohol to a baby aged underneath 18 in class has been fined £500 with additional courtroom prices as a choose rebuked him for damaging the belief in his career and making an attempt to shift the blame onto the pupil.
Richard James Pugh was head of science at Llangatwg Group Faculty in Neath when he messaged the kid on social media after which gave her a Christmas card signed from “your finest buddy” with a kiss and presents together with a canned cocktail, Merthyr Magistrates Court docket heard.
Giving proof by video hyperlink, the kid, who can’t be recognized, informed how Pugh had left her feeling anxious and remoted due to his undesirable consideration to her. Don’t miss a courtroom report by signing up to our crime e-newsletter right here
She informed the courtroom he put a present bag in her college bag containing a can of Malibu and pineapple, biscuits and chilly espresso throughout college and had additionally given her the signed Christmas card.
The kid informed police in proof learn out to the courtroom on November 19: “The primary week we went again he gave me presents after Christmas. A packet of digestive biscuits, two iced coffees and a can of Malibu as a result of over Christmas he requested what I used to be doing and I mentioned I had a Malibu with my mother and father.”
She mentioned Pugh additionally gave her a Nando’s meals voucher and a vape. The courtroom heard she had discovered all of the gadgets collectively in a present bag from him put inside her college bag in early January this yr.
“It was a present bag and all of the presents have been in it,” she mentioned.
Pugh, 41, of Regent Avenue, Aberaman, and a instructor of 13 years, who’s now jobless, had pleaded not responsible to supplying a minor with alcohol at an earlier listening to. His defence counsel Zoe Laugharne mentioned he needed to alter his plea on the resumed listening to on November 19.
Pleading responsible to supplying a minor with alcohol, Pugh denied giving it to the kid in a present bag with different gadgets. He claimed she had picked up this stuff herself from a inventory of presents left in a classroom after Christmas. The espresso she took had been in a classroom as a part of a “caffeine experiment”, he informed the courtroom.
The previous instructor mentioned he had informed the pupil to assist herself to undesirable presents and gadgets within the classroom which he mentioned have been as a result of be thrown away. He claimed he had not seen her take them however that she should have additionally put them in a present bag herself. He claimed there had been a stack of assorted luggage, together with reward luggage, within the science room.
Quizzed by prosecutor Jonathan Evans on why he had modified pleas and the story he had informed police differed to what he was telling the courtroom, Pugh mentioned: “I used to be arrested at 4am and questioned. It was a very long time in the past.”
He accused the kid of “altering her story” and mentioned “she has made issues up as properly.”
Requested once more about supplying her with alcohol Pugh replied: “I’ve not actually handed that to her”.
He claimed: “The Malibu was bought for my cleaner. The alcohol was by no means given to her. It was within the classroom.”
Pugh insisted that “nothing was given to her in a present bag” and that she was “gathering stuff all through the day….all forms of presents have been there. Once I get gifted alcohol it stays and is re-gifted. Just a few little cans got here dwelling with me.”
Challenged by the prosecutor, “you fashioned an inappropriate relationship along with her did not you?” Pugh replied: “no.” However he agreed it was appropriate he had given her a Christmas card signed with a kiss.
Pugh’s defence counsel, Zoe Laugharne, mentioned: “The defendant accepts giving alcohol to the complainant however doesn’t settle for giving alcohol in a present bag accompanied by different gadgets.”
In an affect assertion the kid mentioned Pugh’s consideration had affected her schooling and left her feeling unsafe in class.
“When Mr Pugh began messaging (on instagram) I didn’t perceive why somebody I trusted would do this to me,” she mentioned.
She described feeling “trapped” and scared she wouldn’t be believed if she reported it as a result of he was a instructor.
“I used to be continually wanting over my shoulder as if there was no escape from his presence. I felt weak and uncovered and ashamed and a concern of being judged.”
She mentioned interested by it made her panic and that Pugh “refuses to take accountability for what he did”.
Summing up, District Decide Neil Thomas mentioned: “There was nothing of any credibility in his (Pugh’s) proof and he couldn’t inform the reality even at this late stage. The utmost sentence I may give is a high quality.”
Pugh, who’s jobless and doesn’t intend returning to instructing, the courtroom heard, was fined £500 plus a £200 courtroom surcharge and £650 prosecution prices to be paid at £25 a month.
Individually, Decide Thomas additionally agreed to the complainant’s request for a restraining order towards Pugh. Granting the order for 12 months the choose informed him he should not contact the kid immediately or not directly and should not put something about her on social media.
“That is to not do with the sentencing, however if you happen to break the order you may be arrested and could possibly be sentenced to 5 years in jail,” the choose warned the previous science instructor.
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