Ex-Wales player suspended after assault allegation

Mathew Back said teaching could be "a rollercoaster" but he loved his job

A former Wales rugby player accused of assaulting a child he was teaching was suspended before he could fill in paperwork about the incident, a court has heard.

Mathew Back, 53, of Miskin, Rhondda Cynon Taf, who played four times for Wales, has been a teacher since 1994.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that staff have 24 hours to fill in a form for the council’s safeguarding team following an incident when restraint is used.

Mr Back denies assaulting the boy.

He told the jury that the incident happened at the end of the school day and his intention was to complete the form during the following day’s lunchbreak.

Asked by Harriet Ealdon, for the defence, whether he had anything to hide, he said "absolutely not," adding that he had requested the installation of CCTV in the classroom.

"There’s nothing to hide because everything’s recorded," said Mr Back

The court heard that the child’s parents had spoken to him on the morning of his suspension because a bruise had appeared on their arm.

"I was absolutely mortified for [the child]," he said, adding previous successful interventions had never resulted in bruising.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the incident again.

In the footage Mr Back is seen moving the child to two sofas during the incident.

When asked whether he had used Team Teach techniques to carry out the manoeuvre, he said: “Absolutely sure.

“I used Caring Cs by the torso."

He repeatedly denied grabbing the child by his arm.

The jury saw the child attempting to push over bookshelves in the classroom and throwing his shoes at staff.

Under cross-examination Mr Back said the child had become "very cross and angry and was lashing out at staff".

The trial is being held at Cardiff Crown Court

Christopher Evans, prosecuting, asked Mr Back if he agreed his job was not an easy one.

"Yes, but I love it," he replied.

He outlined how he and other staff were trained to deal with incidents of anger and aggression using de-escalation techniques.

Christopher Evans, prosecuting, told Mr Back that he had “gone too far.”

“I haven’t,” replied Mr Back, adding “I’ve used proportionate, reasonable and necessary, given the level of aggression being shown.”

The court heard that Mr Back had broken his toe before the incident and had signed a risk assessment agreeing to avoid carrying out any restraint of pupils.

"The only reason I intervened was due to his sexual behaviour," said Mr Back, who previously told the court the child was grabbing the genitals of female staff.

Mr Evans asked if there was any need for him to get involved, to which he replied: "No, but I wanted to protect my staff."

The trial continues.