Primary teacher is charged with rape (From Daily Echo)

Daniel Slevin suspended from Southampton's Portswood Primary School after sex offence charge

12:18pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Education By Sian Davies, Senior News Reporter

A Southampton primary school teacher has been charged with rape.

Daniel Slevin has been suspended from Portswood Primary School after the allegations came to light.

The 28-year-old was charged by detectives investigating claims that a woman had been raped at an address in Bitterne.

Parents at the Somerset Road school, which has 419 pupils, were initially told that Slevin was not in school due to health and personal reasons but after he was charged parents were formally told of the court proceedings.

Letters were sent home informing them that Slevin, a Year 1 teacher, had been charged but executive head teacher Llyn Codling assured parents that there was no suggestion that the investigation was in any way linked to the school.

She said: “I appreciate that this will come as a shock to you as it has to all of us at school.

“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that there is absolutely no suggestion of any impropriety within the school and I took immediate action as soon as I was made aware of the situation.”

One parent, who asked not to be identified, said: “It was a bit of a shock to receive the letter but I do commend the school for letting us know exactly what the situation is in what must be very difficult circumstances.”

A Hampshire police spokesman said Slevin had been charged on January 16 following an investigation by CID officers as a result of a complaint made by a woman in October.

Slevin, of Mercury Gardens, Hamble, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday to face the charge that is alleged to have happened overnight on October 29 to 30.

He was released on bail to appear at Southampton Crown Court in April.

A Southampton City Council spokesman said: “The safety and well-being of children and staff in schools is always our number one priority.

“Whilst there is no suggestion of this alleged incident involving any child or other member of staff, such a serious allegation represents a major distraction for all concerned.

“For that reason, as soon as the school became aware of the issue, it sought advice from the council and appropriate action was taken immediately. This has included the suspension, without prejudice, of the individual concerned pending the outcome of the court hearing