John Owen killed himself before a sex abuse trial could begin

John Owen had faced charges of physical and sexual abuse of pupils while a drama teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelin in Pontypridd.

The Clywch inquiry headed by the Children's Commissioner for Wales heard there was a lamentable series of failures on the part of education officials.

Nicholas Cooke QC, counsel for the inquiry, said this allowed Mr Owen to escape prosecution for more than 10 years.

He singled out Eddie Roberts, the former director of education for Mid Glamorgan, and one of his officers David Morgan, now Bridgend education director, for particular criticism.

He said Mr Roberts was wrong in offering governors advice without being in full possession of the facts and it should not have happened.

Report

He added Mr Matthews should not have taken it upon himself to investigate children's accusations of sex abuse by Mr Owen without involving the police.

The Children's Commissioner Peter Clarke said he would now go away to review the thousands of pages of evidence, statements and documents.

He will release his report in late February or early March next year.

He said it was his intention to offer firm recommendations to make children safer in schools across the UK.

Hwyel James, solicitor for Mr Owen's alleged victims, said they would wait for the result of the report before making detailed comments.

But he added that their motivation had never been about obtaining compensation.

Charges

The inquiry began in March 2002 and has held several sessions, hearing evidence from alleged victims, education officials and former colleagues of Mr Owen.

The former teacher was found dead in a caravan in Porthcawl on the south Wales coast in October 2001 following charges of sexual abuse.

Eight ex-Rhydfelin pupils had made allegations dating back to the 1970s in relation to Mr Owen.