JOHN ROBERTS BANNED FROM BETHESDA SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL CLUBS AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

In a recent case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bethesda, John Roberts, a teaching assistant employed at Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen, faced serious allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a young girl. The incident, which occurred in May of the previous year, led to a series of disciplinary actions and legal proceedings that have highlighted concerns about safeguarding within local educational institutions.

Roberts, aged 41 and residing on Ffordd Carneddi in Bethesda, was found guilty in Caernarfon Magistrates Court of sexually touching a pupil. The court proceedings revealed that Roberts had engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a girl under the age of 16 during a classroom lesson. The incident took place in a setting where approximately 18 pupils were present, raising questions about supervision and student safety.

In addition to the physical contact, the court heard that Roberts had made comments that made the girl feel uncomfortable. These included wolf whistling at her, which is considered a form of harassment, and swearing loudly in front of other pupils. Prosecutor Mel Hughes detailed that Roberts also showed the girl a wallet bearing an imprint of a condom and made remarks about her appearance, actions that compounded the seriousness of the misconduct.

Roberts had been employed at the school since January 2013, working with a different pupil than the girl involved in the incident. The court was informed that Roberts’s behavior extended beyond the classroom, as he had made inappropriate comments and gestures in the school environment. The girl, who was unable to be named for legal reasons, testified via videolink that she did not know Roberts personally but had seen him in the village of Bethesda.

Following the guilty verdict, magistrates imposed a series of restrictions and requirements on Roberts. He was banned from attending social clubs and activities primarily aimed at young people, reflecting concerns about his influence and behavior outside the school setting. Furthermore, Roberts is now prohibited from entering any school premises unless he obtains written permission from the local authority’s head.

In terms of legal penalties, Roberts was ordered to be supervised by probation officers for a period of three years. He is also required to attend a specialized course for sexual offenders, sign the sex offenders register for five years, and pay costs amounting to £310. The court emphasized the importance of monitoring his conduct to prevent any future incidents.

Roberts’s defense lawyer, Aled Jones, acknowledged the court’s findings but highlighted Roberts’s previous good character and urged the court to consider a community-based penalty. Jones pointed out that Roberts resides within a close-knit community that would be well aware of the case, implying that community supervision could be an effective alternative to custodial measures.

This case has raised significant concerns among parents, teachers, and community members in Bethesda, prompting calls for stricter safeguarding measures and increased vigilance to protect vulnerable students from potential harm by individuals in positions of trust.