Primary school headmaster charged with making indecent images of children
Mum-of-three 'disgusted and appalled' as school head is also charged with voyeurism
A PRIMARY school headteacher has been remanded in custody charged with voyeurism and making indecent images of children.
Ashley Yates, 45, was arrested after a police investigation and has been suspended from his role at The Tynings Primary School, Bristol.
He is accused of three counts of making indecent images of children and two of voyeurism.
It is not known whether the alleged offences relate to children or adults at the Staple Hill school, which was rated 'good' by Ofsted and has 320 pupils.
Ofsted also said in their report that "the headteacher has risen very well to the challenge of moving the school forward".
Yates appeared before Bristol magistrates yesterday afternoon and was remanded in custody pending a hearing at Bristol Crown Court in July.
Police were present outside the school this morning as concerned parents dropped off their kids.
One anxious mother, who asked not to be named, said: "I'm disgusted and appalled. We found out yesterday, I've had three children at this school, all since he's been here.
"I feel disgusted. You put your children somewhere where you expect them to be in safe hands."
One dad said parents were informed that Yates would not be returning to the school by text at 5.30pm yesterday - after he had appeared in court.
The father, who also asked not to be named, said he was so upset he was removing his young daughter from the school.
He said: "There's a bad atmosphere at the school and a lot of rumours going around."
In a message to parents posted on the school's website, chair of governors Sarah Warren said: "I am writing to inform you that Ashley Yates has appeared in court late this afternoon, charged with counts of making indecent images of children and voyeurism.
"He has been remanded in custody and there is an ongoing police investigation.
"He has been suspended from school.
"While the investigation is underway, I am legally bound not to comment further.
"I hope you will understand that, despite your obvious concerns, we cannot go into any further detail at the moment and we will remain guided by police in terms of our comments, as we do not want to jeopardise their work.
"We will continue to work closely with South Gloucestershire Council and the police.
"Further, it will not help the police investigation for there to be any speculation on social media or anywhere else as to any of the details of this matter.
"We know that this will be of concern to you, so we will be organising a meeting for parents and further details about the arrangements this will follow."
In June this year Mr Yates sent a letter to parents after a female pupil's skirt was lifted by a man outside the school grounds.
He urged parents to remind their children of the actions to take if approached by a stranger,
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Avon and Somerset police said: "A 45-year-old man has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of voyeurism.
"Ashley Jonathan Yates, of Filton, appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court. He was remanded in custody pending appearance at Bristol Crown Court on July 19."
The Tynings Primary School teaches pupils aged four to 11 and was praised by Ofsted inspectors last year.
It was given a "good" rating two years after being rated as requiring improvement.
Inspectors praised the school's safe environment, where they said bullying was rare and discrimination is "not tolerated".
The report said: "The headteacher has risen very well to the challenge of moving the school forward.
"Working as an effective team, he and the senior leaders have successfully improved the quality of teaching and raised achievement."
