Ex-Wales rugby player cleared of assaulting pupil

Mathew Back won four caps for Wales in the 1990s

A former Wales rugby player has been found not guilty of assaulting a primary school pupil.

Prosecutors claimed Mathew Back, 53, a teacher for almost 30 years, "lost control" and a bruise was found on the child's arm.

The child, who has challenging behaviour, was lashing out at teaching staff in 2021, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Bur Mr Back, who won four caps for Wales in the 1990s, insisted he used approved restraint techniques, and the force was “reasonable, proportionate and necessary”.

Speaking outside court Mr Back said: “I feel vindicated.

"It’s been a torturous three years for everyone involved. I’m just very pleased I can finally sleep at night now.”

The jury saw CCTV footage of the incident in which Mr Back said the child expressed “huge aggression to female staff.”

He told the jury that the child tried to grab his female colleagues’ genitalia, and his aim was to protect teaching staff.

Mr Back said when pupils had high levels of aggression, it was “not always possible” to follow methods outlined in “Team Teach” guidelines for controlling behaviour.

He said he took hold of the child “on his torso under his armpits” using what is known as the "caring C" technique to control and move limbs.

Mr Back won four caps for Wales as a full-back in 1995 and played club rugby for Pontypridd as well as Bridgend, Swansea, Bristol and Aberavon.