A once revered headteacher jailed for sexually abusing young girls had his convictions upheld today, despite his lawyers' plea that doubts linger over the fairness of his trial.

David Bryan Thorley, 57, was jailed for two years at Swansea crown court last July after he was convicted of nine sexual assault counts in relation to several children.

London's Appeal Court heard Thorley's previously impeccable career has been wrecked by his convictions, with the former headteacher ordered to perpetually register with the police as a sex offender, and banned from working with children for life.

His QC, Patrick Harrington, who unsuccessfully pursued Thorley's appeal today, claimed there were serious question marks over the fairness of his trial, alleging flaws in the prosecution's evidence and the trial judge's decision to allow the case to proceed.

Mrs Justice Swift, sitting with Lord Justice Dyson and Mrs Justice Sharp, noted that Thorley's legal team had "raised doubts about whether he received a fair trial in circumstances where the outcome was crucially important to him and his connections.”

But she concluded: "Recognising the tragedy that these convictions represent to him, his family, and his colleagues, we have scrutinised the proceedings with considerable care, but have found nothing in the evidence to suggest that his convictions are unsafe.

"The appeal is therefore dismissed."

The court was thronged with many of Thorley's family and friends as the judge took around an hour to dismiss his appeal. After the hearing several silent figures stood in the corridors outside court,wiping away tears at the judges' decision.

Mrs Justice Swift added that Thorley, of Bryn Heulog, Heol Penlanffos, Carmarthen, had presented a "wealth of evidence" about his past immaculate record and high standing in the community.

But his lawyers had come up with nothing to undermine the safety of his abuse convictions.

These involved several girls in all - one of whom said Thorley touched her inappropriately while taking her to the lavatory during a visit to Withybush Hospital.

On another occasion, he briefly touched a four-year-old intimately while examining her for a possible injury. Two other people were present at the time - one of whom testified for the prosecution.

His other sexual assaults concerned "low level" offences relating to two girls Thorley abused by applying talcum powder onto their bodies after taking them swimming.

Mrs Justice Swift rejected arguments that the trial judge applied the wrong legal test when ruling that there was sufficient evidence for the prosecution case to go before the jury.