Pupil sex abuse inquiry criticised

Eight former pupils have made harrowing claims

Management of an inquiry into school child abuse has come under attack from a group representing children in care.

The children's commissioner for Wales halted an inquiry into former drama teacher John Owen - who died last year - after fresh claims were made against four more people.

Now Welsh Assembly-appointed Peter Clarke said it could be weeks or months before he can restart his hearings.

Peter Clarke wanted to probe claims' handling

Pressure group Voices From Care has said he should have waited before beginning proceedings.

Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen teacher Mr Owen took a fatal morphine overdose in October before facing trial over five charges of indecency with boys between 1974 and 1991.

He had earlier quit his job amid complaints surrounding his teaching methods, but went on to write acclaimed S4C youth drama Pam Fi Duw?

Commissioner inquiry

Last year, four former pupils from the 1970s made allegations of abuse against the teacher from Tylorstown, Rhondda.

While Mr Owen cannot be criminally convicted, Peter Clarke opened an informal inquiry into the handling of claims against him - his first since his appointment by First Minister Rhodri Morgan in 2000.

John Owen wrote the children's TV drama, Pam Fi Duw?

Police did not prosecute him and had abandoned investigations despite a local education authority inquiry.

Hearings began taking evidence from seven alleged abuse victims in March at University of Glamorgan in Treforest, near Pontypridd.

Sessions have heard Mr Owen's lessons were sometimes "virtually pornographic" and had sexual overtones, requiring boys to undress for drama.

Paused inquiry

But Clarke was forced to pause the Clywch Inquiry on 3 May when an eighth person made formal abuse claims during a hearing - he has no powers to pursue criminal matters.

Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen's head of English was then suspended for a fortnight by governors, while she maintained her innocence - one of four concerned with the new allegations.

Monday, South Wales Police said it had completed its probe into those claims and their files are with the Crown Prosecution Service, which will determine if charges can be brought.

It was not clear whether Mr Clarke is to restart the Clywch hearings at any time soon.