'Lunatic' crash teacher keeps job

Paul Davies must serve at least half his 15-month sentence

A head teacher jailed for 15 months after a high-speed crash left another motorist in a wheelchair, will have his job kept open for him it has emerged.

Paul Davies, 51, was said to have driven like a "boy racer" before crashing with Kelvin Palmer last May.

But school governors have decided to let him return to Cwmdare primary school in the Cynon valley.

Mr Palmer said he was appalled and wants the General Teaching Council to hold its own disciplinary hearing.

When Davies was sentenced at Newport Crown Court last month, the court heard he would lose his head teacher post.

Judge Stephen Hopkins said Davies' driving on the A465 Heads of the Valleys road in wet and windy conditions had been "lunatic".

It's alarming, isn't it really - a headmaster with a tag - it must be a first Kelvin Palmer, crash victim

Davies's trial, at Merthyr Crown Court, heard he had "effectively destroyed" the life of Mr Palmer and his family after his Subaru Impreza collided with Mr Palmer's Ford Fiesta.

Father-of-two Mr Palmer, 49, spent 10 months in hospital and now needs a wheelchair. He lives in a care home away from his family.

He was shocked when the BBC told him that a disciplinary committee of the governors at Cwmdare Primary had decided to keep the head teacher's job open for him until he comes out of prison.

That could see him returning to school in the autumn, if he is allowed to be tagged.

"It's alarming, isn't it, really? A headmaster with a tag. It must be a first, mustn't it?," Mr Palmer said

Clearly this chap has been found guilty in the court, he's been sentenced to jail, and he's now going to be in front of kids. I really don't understand it Accident victim Kevin Palmer

"It's appalling. I don't understand how such a thing can happen because we put these people up on a pedestal, as an example to the children.

"Clearly this chap has been found guilty in the court, he's been sentenced to jail, and he's now going to be in front of kids. I really don't understand it."

Davies, who had denied dangerous driving, was told he must serve at least half the 15-month sentence. If he is allowed to be electronically tagged, it could see him returning to the school in the autumn.

In a statement, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Alun Maddox, Chair of Governors, Cwmdare Primary School, said the disciplinary panel of the governing body met at the end of last week.

The statement read: "The panel decided to allow Mr Davies to keep his post and he is expected to return after completing his sentence in relation to the recent court judgement.

'Tagged'

"Further details of when he will return will be announced as soon as they are available."

The statement said all parents and carers of pupils at the school had received a letter from the chairman of governors explaining the situation.

It is understood Davies was allowed out of prison for the disciplinary hearing. Some parents at the school had petitioned the governors for him to be kept on.

The National Association of Head Teachers, which backed Davies' case said, he could apply for early release on licence, if he agreed to be tagged, although early release was not a right he could expect.

The union said Davies was held in high esteem by parents and he was now extremely sorry for what happened and would have to live with it for the rest of his life.