‘Worker had encounter with boy, 14’

AN 18-YEAR-OLD teaching assistant, who engaged in sexual behaviour and exchanged messages and photographs of a sexual nature with a 15-year-old boy she believed to be 14, was found out when she rang Childline out of remorse.

An Education Workforce Council (EWC) Wales fitness to practise hearing was told Shelley Ann Williams, who worked as a learning support assistant (LSA) at Deri Vale Primary, Abergavenny, had known the boy for several years when the incidents, reported to police by Childine, happened.

The pair exchanged messages and photos on Snapchat and Facebook messenger, the committee hearing evidence in Cardiff was told.

These included a photo and video the boy sent to her of his genitals and a photo sent by the LSA to him of her breasts while wearing a bra.

The sexual encounter happened outside the boy’s home in her car after she offered him a lift home on October 5, 2017.

It was the first time the LSA, described as “naive” by her employer, the supply agency New Directions, had had a sexual encounter, or been kissed.

Her father claimed in evidence read to the hearing that the boy, referred to as Child A to protect his identity, was described to him by a police officer as “a randy teenage boy chancing his arm”, while his daughter was “naive and vulnerable”.

Miss Williams, now 20, admitted, with qualification, allegations that prior to October 5, 2017, she exchanged messages and/or photographs with the boy via text/and/or social media, which were of an inappropriate nature and/or sexual nature.

She also admitted, with qualification, an allegation that in or around October 5, 2017, she engaged in inappropriate and/or sexualised behaviour with Child A in that she hugged and/or kissed him and/or performed acts of a sexual nature with him.

She denied the conduct was sexually motivated or in pursuit of a future relationship and/or that she derived sexual gratification – but accepted an allegation of unacceptable professional conduct.

Although Gwent Police was contacted by Childline, and both Miss Williams and Child A were interviewed by officers, no further action was taken by them.

Neither Miss Williams not Child A appeared in person at the hearing.

In written evidence, Child A said the actions were consensual and he was not coerced by Miss Williams and did not wish to take any action against her.

“I didn’t speak to anyone about what happened. I later received a message from Shelley Williams in which she said sorry and then she blocked me from social media.”

However, the matter was reported to Monmouthshire Local Education Authority, the EWC, her employer New Directions and the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) after Childline alerted police. Although the DBS took no action, Miss Williams was told she could not take up a recent job she had been offered in a school, the committee heard.

Presenting officer Cadi Dewi told the hearing that an investigation began on October 5, 2017, when a female “unwilling to provide her name” contacted Childline saying she was 18 and worked with children aged three to 11 in a primary school.

She said she had given a lift home to a boy she had known for a long time, aged 14, and engaged in sexual activity with him.

She told Childline she was worried she would be in trouble but hung up before more details could be taken. When the call was traced to Miss Williams, police went to her house to interview her, and later Child A.

The hearing continues.