A school teacher in South Wales has been fined £500 for sending messages to an underage student on social media and providing her with alcohol. Richard James Pugh, 41, who was the head of science at Llangatwg Community School in Neath, gifted the girl a Christmas card signed with a kiss and various items, including a canned cocktail. The student expressed feeling vulnerable and exposed due to Pugh’s unwanted attention.
During the court proceedings, the judge criticized Pugh for breaching the trust of his profession and trying to shift blame onto the child. The student testified that Pugh placed gifts in her school bag, which included a can of Malibu and pineapple, biscuits, cold coffee, and a signed Christmas card.
Pugh, who has been a teacher for 13 years, denied the charges of supplying alcohol to a minor but later pleaded guilty. He claimed that the girl had taken the items from a classroom where they were left as unwanted gifts. Pugh also stated that the alcohol was not given directly to the student but was kept in the classroom.
The student mentioned finding a Nando’s food voucher and a vape in the gift bag placed in her school bag at the beginning of the year. Pugh argued that the student had collected various items throughout the day and had put them in the gift bag herself. He denied forming an inappropriate relationship with the student but admitted to giving her a Christmas card signed with a kiss.
In a victim impact statement, the student revealed that Pugh’s actions had affected her education and made her feel unsafe in school. She expressed feeling vulnerable, exposed, and ashamed due to Pugh’s behavior. Despite Pugh’s claims, the judge imposed a fine of £500 along with additional court surcharges and prosecution costs.
Furthermore, a restraining order was granted against Pugh for 12 months, prohibiting him from contacting the student directly or indirectly and from posting about her on social media.