Chloe Hadjimatheou

We've used AI to recreate Gareth's part of the transcript.

At this stage in the tribunal, I have to say, things don't look great for Gareth. He's bitter and emotional, and when he's cross-examined, he comes across as difficult. In contrast, Miss Bowen's stoic and composed. But then something happens.

At this stage in the tribunal, I have to say, things don't look great for Gareth. He's bitter and emotional, and when he's cross-examined, he comes across as difficult. In contrast, Miss Bowen's stoic and composed. But then something happens.

When she's being questioned by the TRA's lawyer that's acting as a kind of prosecutor, she begins offering up new information, stuff that Gareth's never even mentioned in his allegations or in his testimony. Like the fact that she enjoyed a lot of the attention she got from pupils at the school.

When she's being questioned by the TRA's lawyer that's acting as a kind of prosecutor, she begins offering up new information, stuff that Gareth's never even mentioned in his allegations or in his testimony. Like the fact that she enjoyed a lot of the attention she got from pupils at the school.

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.