Teacher not guilty of sexual relationship with teen

A teacher has been found not guilty of five counts of having a sexual relationship with a teenager.

Jonathon Coombs, 54, from Barry, was a drama teacher at Pencoedtre Comprehensive and was involved in local theatre groups.

The court was told Mr Coombs had become a confidant to the teenager who was unsure of his sexuality but had groomed and taken advantage of him.

He denied seven counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

After nearly 12 hours of deliberation, a jury at Cardiff Crown Court returned a verdict of not guilty on five counts but could not agree on two remaining counts and were discharged.

The court previously heard that when questioned by police the teenager had denied anything had happened only to change his mind five months later.

The prosecution had argued the delay was a result of him being embarrassed and scared to admit anything had happened between them.

Mr Coombs' defence had argued the allegations against him were nothing more than malicious rumours and that he had never admitted to sleeping with the boy.

The trial heard the defendant had been involved with theatre groups for 30 years and had been a teacher for 20 years without having a complaint made against him.

The judge thanked the jury for their hard work and said cases such as this, where they had to consider the word of one person against another, were the most difficult.

The prosecution are now considering asking for a retrial on the remaining counts.

A hearing has been set for 16 May. Mr Coombs was remanded in custody.