THE deputy head of Redruth School, who was cleared earlier this year of indecently assaulting a former pupil, has taken early retirement.

Anthony Williams, also known as Andy, was cleared by a jury at Truro Crown Court of five charges of indecently assaulting a young girl at the school in the early 1990s.

Although cleared of the criminal charges, it emerged during the trial that he had dealt inappropriately with the teenage pupil when she tried to kiss him by not reporting the incident to headteacher John Shears.

Mr Williams has remained suspended on full pay since the charges were put to him a year ago.

This week Mr Shears confirmed that Mr Williams, who lives in Sithney, near Helston, had requested early retirement which had been granted.

"The only comment I can make," said Mr Shears, "is that Andy Williams has taken early retirement. He has taken it from Easter and has been no longer employed here since the end of the Easter term."

Mr Shears said that as a result of Mr Williams' request an investigation launched by the school and the board of governors had been closed. "There was no need to continue with those inquiries," said Mr Shears.

The inquiry by the board of governors and the school was convened after the the jury returned its not guilty verdict on all five charges of indecent assault against Mr Williams in January.

The inquiry's brief was to investigate possible professional misconduct by Mr Williams while he remained suspended on full pay.

The cessation of this investigation means that no further action will be taken against Mr Williams, who was 57 when he was charged last year, and he will now receive his full pension.

If the investigation had found there had been misconduct it could have led to a formal warning against Mr Williams or even his dismissal.

During the trial Mr Williams admitted he had behaved "inappropriately" and "unprofessionally" in dealing with the girl.

He said he did not report to Mr Shears that the girl had kissed him and tried to peck him on the cheek.

He also admitted he was "absolutely stupid" to have a meeting with the girl in his car whilst she was on work experience in Truro.

Mr Williams has taught at Redruth School for 35 years, the last 15 of those as deputy head.

For the last ten years of his career he had been part of the management team which had implemented major improvements at the school.

Mr Williams, a committed Christian, had been instrumental in bringing forward plans to integrate the former West Park building with the school's main site in Tolgus Vean.

Mr Williams was married to his first wife Judith Mitchell for 27 years. They lived at Portreath and had three children. In the 1990s he married his wife's hairdresser, who became Christine Williams following his divorce, and moved to Sithney.