🔍 Former Mayor’s Secret Unveiled!
Andrew James, once a town councillor and mayor for Maesteg, kept a dark secret from the school where he worked as a learning support assistant. He faced charges for sexual assault, but instead of coming clean, he told Caerau Primary he was off sick with a bad back. Over a year later, the truth has emerged, bringing his hidden past into the spotlight.
💥 James was charged following an incident at a bar in December 2023. But instead of letting his school employer know, he continued on paid leave for 18 months. The shocking revelation came to light during a recent professional standards hearing, which painted a different picture of the man who was once seen as having a good rapport with the children.
😮 Despite his actions, Headteacher Julia Roche said the school wasn’t tarnished, as his public roles overshadowed his school involvement. Yet, James’ failure to report his arrest was described as falling “well below expectations”.
⚖️ The former support worker eventually pleaded guilty to the assault charge and received a community order. His absence at the hearing led to the allegations being considered as denied, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and shattered trust in the community.
👉 Join the discussion in the comments below: Should transparency be the norm for public figures?