A former Pembrokeshire primary school headteacher jailed for sexually assaulting young girls is appealing his conviction at London's court of appeal today (Thursday).

David Bryan Thorley, aged 56, was convicted for nine offences of sexual assault at Swansea crown court last May. He was also cleared of two similar charges.

On July 3rd 2009 he was jailed for two years.

Thorley, of Bryn Heulog, Heol Penlanffos, denied all the allegations and said he had behaved according to child protection guidelines. During his trial he described his prosecution as "devastating." He told the jury: "It's a tragedy. It's broken our hearts."

In addition to the verdicts the jury also cleared Thorley of eight further similar charges after the judge ruled there was insufficient "evidence of quality" for them to consider.

Thorley is due to appeal this morning in front of Lord Justice Dyson; Mrs Justice Swift DBE and Mrs Justice Sharp. The appeal is listed to last three and a half hours.