**Drama Teacher Denies Inappropriate Relationship with Student Amid Allegations at Cardiff Crown Court**
A 54-year-old performing arts teacher from Barry stands accused of fostering an “inappropriate” relationship with a teenage pupil, amidst a string of serious allegations laid out during his ongoing trial at Cardiff Crown Court. Jonathan Coombs, who worked as a drama teacher and head of year at Pencoedtre High School, has robustly denied all charges, insisting in court that he “has not done anything wrong.”
Prosecutors allege that Mr Coombs pressured the teenage boy into a sexual relationship, gifting him items such as money, aftershave and a teddy bear. The court heard claims from the complainant that their relationship included both sexual intercourse and oral sex, which allegedly began when the child was underage. Coombs faces seven counts of sexual activity with a child, charges made more damning by the fact that he was in a recognised position of trust at the time.
Taking the stand on Friday, Mr Coombs directly addressed the central accusation: when asked if he and the complainant had engaged in sexual activity, he replied “Absolutely not.” Coombs admitted that he had discussed “gay icons and celebrities” with the pupil, and that he once purchased alcohol for him ahead of a theatre trip to Cardiff, but he strongly denied any sexual contact. He told the jury, “I explained to him about gay icons and discussed what living openly as a gay person is like, especially in the public eye, but at no point did our conversations become inappropriate.”
The court was also told of previous remarks allegedly made by Coombs to friends and colleagues, with reports that he once boasted, “I could lose my job or everything because of this but I don’t care, me and [the boy] slept together.” However, the teacher flatly denied ever making such statements, contesting “Just because I’m gay doesn’t mean we’ve slept together. That accusation shocked me, and I could never have said such a thing.”
Under questioning from his defence barrister, Rosamund Rutter, Coombs denied ever having sent “flirty or inappropriate” messages to the boy, including any explicit photographs. “Absolutely not — never,” he said in response to questions about inappropriate communications on social media or messaging platforms. Ms Rutter pressed further about whether he had asked the complainant to refer to him as a “gay guru”, to which Coombs also issued a categorical denial.
In a factual disclosure during his evidence, Coombs acknowledged a historic conviction from 1989 for “offering an indecent act to a police officer” in Barry – an act which, he clarified, is no longer an offence since repeal in 2003. The relevance and implications of this prior incident remain a matter for the court, with Mr Coombs insisting it was unrelated to the allegations at hand and stating that he has spent two decades working in what he calls “an extremely difficult profession.”
The defence’s line of questioning highlighted the absence of physical evidence, with Rutter systematically challenging the prosecution’s narrative. In relation to the boy’s claim that sexual acts occurred after a theatre production in Cardiff, the teacher denied these accusations, responding, “No, never” to each question about sexual contact. He also rejected suggestions that he tried to alter the boy’s perception or behaviour through intimidation, or that he had ever asked him to use drugs or poppers. “No, I did not,” was his repeated reply.
Moreover, Mr Coombs rejected assertions that he instructed the complainant to delete evidence or messages, or that he attempted to convince him he was in trouble, maintaining throughout that he had nothing to hide. “Did you consider you had done anything wrong?” the prosecutor asked. “No,” Coombs replied.
While he acknowledges buying the young man alcohol and fostering discussion about LGBTI+ figures, Coombs maintains these actions never crossed a professional or ethical line. The case has attracted public interest in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan community, drawing attention to safeguarding responsibilities in schools.
The trial continues as Cardiff Crown Court examines the competing accounts and considers both evidence and testimony. The outcome will determine not only the fate of Mr Coombs but could prompt renewed scrutiny of teacher-student boundaries and appropriate conduct within the education sector.
The proceedings remain ongoing with more evidence expected to be heard in the coming days.