'Boy racer' head returns to job

Mr Davies has returned as head teacher at the school

A head teacher jailed for 15 months after a crash which left another driver in a wheelchair has returned to work.

Governors of Cwmdare Primary in the Cynon valley allowed Paul Davies to return despite Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council advising them to wait.

The council said the results of an inquiry into the case by the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) should be known before he returned.

A spokesman for the governors said the group did not wish to comment.

Mr Davies has been contacted for a response.

In May 2006, Mr Davies was said to have driven 120mph before crashing and severely injuring Kelvin Palmer on the A465.

Last September, he was released early from prison on licence after he was jailed for 15 months for dangerous driving.

Mike Keating, director of education and lifelong learning at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said the decision to allow Mr Davies to keep his post as head teacher following his criminal conviction had been made by the governing body, under its delegated powers.

A picture taken at the scene of the collision

The school's governors had also determined the date when he would return to work, he added.

Mr Keating added: "Rhondda Cynon Taf's advice to the governing body was to not allow Mr Davies to return to work until the General Teaching Council for Wales had reached a decision or verdict on this matter.

"We understand this advice was not taken into consideration and Mr Davies was allowed to return to work as soon as was practicable after the removal of his tag."

Mr Keating said the council's main concern had been to ensure the "upheaval" it caused did not have a detrimental effect on the pupils, parents and wider community.

School governor Alun Maddox confirmed that Mr Davies had returned to the school on Wednesday.

Mr Maddox did not want to comment on his return and added: "I think it's right as Mr Davies has returned we should just about leave it at that."

The General Teaching Council for Wales, who has said the case had been referred to them by South Wales Police, would not comment on Mr Davies returning to work.

Kelvin Palmer spent 10 months in hospital and uses a wheelchair

In July, it emerged that the head teacher post at the school was being kept open for Mr Davies.

Mr Palmer, who was injured in the crash, criticised the governors for planning to reinstate Davies and said he was very upset and angry he was being allowed to return.

At the time, he said: "These people are supposed to set a good example to our young people.

"We put then up on a pedestal and this chap has clearly fallen off the pedestal."

Mr Davies was sentenced at Newport Crown Court after Judge Stephen Hopkins had described his driving in wet and windy conditions as "lunatic".

Judge Hopkins said: "Fifty one you may have been but you drive with the mentality of a boy racer."