'Boy racer' head teacher sacked

Paul Davies was dismissed after being struck off

A primary school head teacher who was jailed for 15 months after a high-speed crash has been dismissed.

Paul Davies, 51, who worked at Cwmdare primary in the Cynon Valley, was said by the judge who sentenced him to have had the "mentality of a boy racer".

The school governing body disciplinary panel made the decision to dismiss him.

It said the decision remained subject to appeal proceedings and it would make no further comment. Miss Santos remains acting head teacher, it said.

Paul Davies, who returned to work at Cwmdare in January, was struck off by the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) a month later for bringing the profession into disrepute.

At the time, he was told he could not reapply to the register for at least two years, but could appeal.

Governors had allowed Mr Davies to return to his job following his early release in September from jail for dangerous driving.

I'm surprised it has taken nearly two months to come to the decision and they are only talking about firing him now Kelvin Palmer

It followed a crash in 2006 which left another driver, Kelvin Palmer, in a wheelchair.

Mr Palmer said: "I'm surprised it has taken nearly two months to come to the decision and they are only talking about firing him now."

Head-on crash

Mr Davies's driving in wet and windy conditions was described as "lunatic" and as having the "mentality of a boy racer," by the judge during sentencing.

The court heard Mr Davies's car, a Subaru Impreza, was travelling at up to 120mph at the time of the crash.

Mr Davies lost control of his car and hit Mr Palmer's car head-on.

Mr Palmer had to spend 10 months in hospital and is now forced to live in a respite care centre 30 miles from his home.

During the GTCW committee hearing, Mr Davies said in a statement: "As well as serving a prison sentence, I will always have to carry the burden of guilt of knowing I am responsible for causing the serious injuries sustained by Mr Palmer."

He accepted that his speed was too high, but claimed he had not been driving at more than 60mph.

Mr Davies told the council panel: "The accident and its consequences will always remain with me, but I ask that it should neither define me nor end my professional career."