After Mr Thorley reported these marks to the care agencies, the girl was taken into care, the jury was told.

BBC: Sex charge head aided toilet girl

Mr Thorley denied intimidating the assistant, and described the school he ran as one of the happiest in the area.

BBC: Some head sex charges withdrawn

Mr Thorley is the head teacher of a primary school in Pembrokeshire.

BBC: Sex charge head aided toilet girl

Mr Thorley said he then drove her to her grandfather's home, patted her on the head and told her she had been a brave girl.

BBC: Some head sex charges withdrawn

But when she gave evidence in person, the girl said Mr Thorley had put a blue rubber glove onto his right hand and applied the cream himself on one occasion.

BBC: Sex charge head aided toilet girl

Judge Burr said Mr Thorley was not on trial for acting inappropriately or inadvisably and a jury properly directed by a judge could not safely convict on eight of the charges.

BBC: Some head sex charges withdrawn

He stressed it did not mean he, as the judge, thought that Mr Thorley was guilty of the remaining 11 charges, only that there was sufficient evidence for a jury to consider.

BBC: Some head sex charges withdrawn

The girl said that in several visits to the toilet in the accident and emergency department she could have undressed herself and did not need help from Mr Thorley to use tissue paper.

BBC: Sex charge head aided toilet girl

Asked by his barrister Marian Lewis why he had given her chocolates, Mr Thorley said it was normal for the school to give a small present to a child who had been injured.

BBC: Some head sex charges withdrawn

Marian Lewis defending, asked the girl if her mother held a grudge against Mr Thorley and the girl replied that she did not know what a grudge was but that her mother had certainly been angry with Mr Thorley, the court heard.

BBC: Sex charge head aided toilet girl