Ex-art teacher in reservoir suicide arrested in child sex attacks probe
ARETIRED teacher was found dead in a reservoir months after being arrested on suspicion of indecently assaulting children.
Clive Hally, from Maesteg, was an art, photography and ceramics teacher at Brynteg Comprehensive School in Bridgend for almost 40 years.
The 67-year-old’s body was discovered by a dog walker at Cwmwernderi reservoir on May 18.
A few months earlier, in January, Mr Hally had been arrested by South Wales Police on suspicion of indecently assaulting two children.
However, he had told his family that he had been arrested for an assault.
An inquest into his death, held at Swansea Civic Centre, heard how Mr Hally had been “due to answer bail the same day he was found”.
South Wales Police PC Adrian Powell said: “A male’s body was found on May 18 in the main body of the reservoir at 12.27pm by a passing dog walker. He contacted the police and several officers made their way to the area. Officers walked along the track overlooking the water and saw the body. There did not appear to be any visible trauma.
“At 1.19pm paramedics pronounced life extinct. He was being investigated by South Wales Police for historic allegations.”
PC Powell explained that a beige jacket, a beige hat, a pair of glasses and a walking stick were all found “neatly piled up” on a nearby jetty that led to the reservoir.
A flip-up mobile phone was also discovered near the reservoir and was later linked to Mr Hally after police searched it.
A search later took place at Mr Hally’s address in Heol Pentre, Maesteg, where PC Owain Davies discovered a map “with writing on it” that showed the route from the property to the reservoir.
The inquest heard how Mr Hally had a “very good childhood” in Maesteg before taking an art course at Cardiff Art College and attending Hull Art College.
He returned to Maesteg in his early twenties and was offered a teaching position where he taught art, photography and ceramics at Brynteg Comprehensive School.
PC Powell added: “He never married and had no children and was happy at his job in Brynteg. He was employed for nearly 40 years and later was appointed head of year. He was very well-liked. He retired in 2010 and spent his time gardening and cooking and was later diagnosed with diabetes.
“Him and his brother Neil became closer in 2016 when his wife died and in late January, 2019, Neil was contacted by his sister-in-law to say that they were unable to contact Clive.
“He told his brother he had been arrested by the police for assault.”
Colin Phillips, acting senior coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, explained that a post-mortem report listed Mr Hally’s cause of death as drowning and alcoholic liver disease.
The inquest heard that Mr Hally had “previously drunk excessive alcohol”.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Phillips said: “His clothes were left in an orderly fashion on the jetty, demonstrating forethought and planning.
“He was due to answer bail the same day he was found and was facing serious allegations which were clearly troubling him.
“There were no alcohol or drugs in his system, no history of depression and no injuries to his body. He deliberately entered the reservoir with a view to end his life and subsequently drowned.”
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