Charges dropped against teacher accused of sex abuse

A teacher cleared of having a sexual relationship with a teenager has been told he will not face prosecution on two other charges.

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

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

Following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court last week he was found not guilty on five of the charges - but remained in custody after jurors could not reach a verdict on two other charges.

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

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

The Crown Prosecution Service told Newport Crown Court on Wednesday it would not seek a retrial on the remaining charges.

Judge Eugene Egan formally found Mr Coombs not guilty of the remaining charges and he was released from custody.