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Police probe clears school chaplain

A SCHOOL chaplain has been re-instated after a police inquiry concluded that allegations against him by a former pupil were "entirely unsubstantiated."

The Rev Ronald Hawkes was suspended last month from St Edmund's School in Canterbury following an allegation relating to an incident said have happened at a school where he previously taught in Warwick in 1985.

But following a police interview and other inquiries the investigation has been discontinued. A police spokesman said: "Mr Hawkes was not under arrest but we did speak to him and have decided there should be no further action."

The headteacher of St Edmund's, Nicholas Ridley, said a letter had gone to parents advising them that the police investigation had been dropped and Mr Hawkes re-instated.

Mr Ridley said: "The police have told me the allegation has been found to be entirely unsubstantiated and there was no evidence against him. At the time I had no option to suspend the Rev Hawkes during the inquiry but am delighted to welcome him back into the school.

"Allegations of this kind are obviously deeply wounding and it has been a very traumatic experience for both him and his family."

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