Chloe Hadjimatheou

And then the lawyer for the TRA turns to what seem to be inconsistencies in her testimony.

And then the lawyer for the TRA turns to what seem to be inconsistencies in her testimony.

More inconsistencies are raised. She told the police she'd only ever spoken to Gareth on the bus once or twice, but now in the TRA she's admitting they would sit together regularly. She also seems to suddenly remember why witnesses would have seen them together at the pub and in edgeware. And Sally-Anne Bowen starts sounding flustered.

More inconsistencies are raised. She told the police she'd only ever spoken to Gareth on the bus once or twice, but now in the TRA she's admitting they would sit together regularly. She also seems to suddenly remember why witnesses would have seen them together at the pub and in edgeware. And Sally-Anne Bowen starts sounding flustered.

Gareth's sitting on his sofa at home, taking this all in. And the one thing he can't get over is that she's speaking to the lawyer in this way that he recognises.

Gareth's sitting on his sofa at home, taking this all in. And the one thing he can't get over is that she's speaking to the lawyer in this way that he recognises.

Gareth and Miss Bowen are only ever meant to answer the questions put to them. But there's this moment when Gareth is so overwhelmed by all the emotions flooding through him that he forgets all the other people on the video call and he speaks to her directly. Suddenly, it's just him and Sally-Anne again.

Gareth and Miss Bowen are only ever meant to answer the questions put to them. But there's this moment when Gareth is so overwhelmed by all the emotions flooding through him that he forgets all the other people on the video call and he speaks to her directly. Suddenly, it's just him and Sally-Anne again.

Staring right at him, Gareth says she doesn't flinch. It's impossible to tell what she's thinking. But Gareth can't stop.

Staring right at him, Gareth says she doesn't flinch. It's impossible to tell what she's thinking. But Gareth can't stop.

In December 2023, the panel retires to consider the evidence. The panel's made up of three people. There's a teacher and there are two other members of the public who've handled complex investigations before. When they're ready, they call all the participants for a final video call to announce their findings. Gareth's testimony is consistent and convincing, they say.

In December 2023, the panel retires to consider the evidence. The panel's made up of three people. There's a teacher and there are two other members of the public who've handled complex investigations before. When they're ready, they call all the participants for a final video call to announce their findings. Gareth's testimony is consistent and convincing, they say.

And it's more likely than not that Sally-Ann Bowen did meet Gareth outside of school and that she allowed him to visit her at her home and that she did engage in sexual activity with him. The only allegation they're not convinced of is that she bought him alcohol in a pub.

And it's more likely than not that Sally-Ann Bowen did meet Gareth outside of school and that she allowed him to visit her at her home and that she did engage in sexual activity with him. The only allegation they're not convinced of is that she bought him alcohol in a pub.

Sally-Ann Bowen's obliged to be present for the entire finding, but when it becomes clear which way things are going, she gets up and walks away from her laptop.

Sally-Ann Bowen's obliged to be present for the entire finding, but when it becomes clear which way things are going, she gets up and walks away from her laptop.

The Teaching Regulation Agency bans Miss Bowen from the profession indefinitely. It's a really big deal. And what's striking about it is how categorical they are in their finding. Especially when you consider that almost all the panel had to go on was two competing accounts. He said, she said. Just like me, they found Gareth's account believable.

The Teaching Regulation Agency bans Miss Bowen from the profession indefinitely. It's a really big deal. And what's striking about it is how categorical they are in their finding. Especially when you consider that almost all the panel had to go on was two competing accounts. He said, she said. Just like me, they found Gareth's account believable.

The detail, the consistency in his story and the fact that he doesn't always put himself in a favourable light. It's a huge vindication for Gareth after so many years of being doubted. All those teachers who said they didn't know what went on back then or that Sally-Anne Bowen wouldn't have behaved that way. Well, it's made their positions a lot more difficult.

The detail, the consistency in his story and the fact that he doesn't always put himself in a favourable light. It's a huge vindication for Gareth after so many years of being doubted. All those teachers who said they didn't know what went on back then or that Sally-Anne Bowen wouldn't have behaved that way. Well, it's made their positions a lot more difficult.