Headmistress made indecent images of child
A PRIMARY school headmistress is facing prison after admitting making indecent images of a child.
Rhian Eleri Desouza had been in charge of the Ysgol Gymraeg Gellionnen school in Clydach, near Swansea, for the past five years.
At Llanelli Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the 43-year-old admitted that she made the images of a child in May and June this year.
School governors have written to parents assuring them that the court case does not relate to any current or former pupils at their school or any other Desouza has taught at during her career.
She lives in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, with husband Michael. They are understood to have at least one child.
A statement issued by the school and Swansea Council reads: ‘As soon as we were made aware of the investigation by police she was suspended and remains so.
‘An acting head teacher is in place and support is being given to ensure there is no impact on the day-to-day running of the school.’
An NSPCC Wales spokesman added: ‘As a head teacher at a primary school, Desouza held a position of great responsibility over children.
‘She would have been well aware that the children pictured in online indecent images are victims of crime and suffer horrific abuse for them to be made.’
Desouza was suspended in July before the end of term, with parents believing she was on sick leave. One mother said: ‘We even sent her flowers on the day of the school prom because we all thought she was off ill.
‘It is just disgusting to think what has been going on – nobody had a clue.’
Some parents at the school have been sent letters which stated the police investigation was not directly connected to any children at the school.
But parents were outraged that it took the authorities weeks to inform them of the reasons she was away.
On Facebook, a mother said:
‘This is just horrific – you expect your children to be safe at school. Despite rigorous DBS [disclosure and barring service] checking, sadly people only have a record once court. Absolutely shocking.’
The couple were not at home yesterday. One neighbour said: ‘Rhian is a pillar of the community and this is a complete shock.’
Desouza was previously deputy head at nearby Trebanos School, where parents have also been assured no pupils were involved in the charges.
She is due to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on September 14.