Affray teacher may continue in his career
A TEACHER who was spared an immediate jail sentence after an incident involving former rugby international Shane Williams has been allowed to continue his teaching career.
Aled James – who worked as a bouncer to pay for his teaching qualifications – was convicted of affray last year after an altercation which took place after the Wales v South Africa match at the Principality Stadium on December 2, 2017, and left Shane Williams’ brother unconscious.
Subsequent proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court heard that on the night of the incident the former Wales and Ospreys winger was out in Cardiff city centre with his brother and two friends.
They were drinking at the Coyote Ugly nightclub in St Mary Street, when just before 10pm someone approached the group and tried to headbutt Dean Williams.
On Wednesday an Education Workforce Council (EWC) hearing in Cardiff heard James – who was working as a supply teacher at Mynydd Haf independent school, in Trethomas, Caerphilly, at the time of the incident but now works at Insight Independent School, in west London, as a qualified teacher – was the first member of staff to approach the men.
Speaking at the hearing, EWC presenting officer Ashanti-Jade Walton said the men were removed by the fire doors and that during the incident James received a punch that left him with a cut to the eye.
It was after this that James, 28, punched Dean Williams numerous times, causing him to fall to the floor.
The altercation outside Coyote Ugly, which was caught on CCTV, culminated in Dean Williams lying unconscious on the floor for 15 minutes before police arrived.
The fitness to practise panel heard James admitted the two allegations he faced – that he had been convicted of affray and that this amounted to a relevant offence.
“Acting the way he did diminishes the trust and confidence in the profession and damages the reputation of the profession,” Ms Walton said.
She said being a doorman had some similar requirements as working in the teaching profession as in both jobs it is necessary to maintain rationality, adding pupils could be difficult at times and teachers needed to be able to manage situations without losing their temper.
Ms Walton added that in this instance violence was not administered in self-defence but in retaliation, adding the way James responded to being punched was over the top.
Speaking at the hearing James said he understood he acted irresponsibly but denied having problems with anger management.
James said it all went “pearshaped” after being punched, adding he hit Mr Williams repeatedly but stopped when he felt he was no longer under threat.
“I worked in nightclubs for five years and this is the only incident where anything like this happened,” he said. “I have worked in schools for six years and I used this job [as a doorman] to pay for my teaching qualifications.
“I have learned from my experiences and I can assure you nothing like this will ever happen again.”
Committee chairman Jacquie Turnbull said his behaviour was “totally unacceptable” and must not happen again. Stating that a reprimand was the appropriate sanction, she said: “He has now secured fulltime employment and he makes a positive contribution working with students with special educational needs.
“Aside from this incident he has a good previous character and has provided positive references.”
James – whose address was Richard Street, Maerdy, Ferndale, at the time of the court proceedings – pleaded guilty to affray and was sentenced to 10 months in jail, suspended for two years, on December 19 last year. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
Co-defendants Dean Flowers 33, of Clos-y-Carlwm, Thornhill, Cardiff, and Dave Wing, 54, of Shearman Place, Grangetown, were found guilty of affray after a trial.
Flowers and Wing were given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. A third bouncer, Haydn Morgan, 42, of Herbert Street in Bridgend, was found not guilty of affray during the trial.