Former teaches faces sex charges (From Tivyside Advertiser)

Former teaches faces sex charges

12:00am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News

A former local schoolteacher alleged to have sexually assaulted teenage girls and kept indecent photographs of children is to face proceedings in the crown court.

     Magistrates were told that the alleged victims in the case would be given lifetime anonymity and the bench made an order under the Children and Young Persons Act that they should not be identified.

     Edward Anthony Jones, appeared at Aberystwyth Justice Centre charged on six counts of sexual assault and one of possessing indecent photographs of a child.

     The 33-year-old former teacher, of 170 Maesglas, Cardigan, who was represented by Alison Mathias, was accused of sexually touching teenage girls between January 2011 and May last year.

     It was further alleged that he had in his possession 42 indecent images of children.

     Attired in a matching blue shirt and tie and dark trousers the bespectacled defendant spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

     Prosecutor Gerald Neave submitted that the case was not suitable for summary trial on grounds of breach of trust and seriousness of the charges. He applied for the matter to be dealt with at the crown court.

     Ms Mathias, who did not make representations as to the venue, said pleas would not be entered at this stage.

     Declining jurisdiction presiding magistrate Peredur ap Llwyd said he and his colleagues felt the case should be sent to the crown court under the Crime and Disorder Act.

     Jones was bailed to appear at Swansea Crown Court this Friday.