Teacher who alleged cheating at school ‘thrilled’ to be found not guilty

A teacher who spoke out about alleged cheating at a primary school says she is “thrilled” after being found not guilty of securing unauthorised access to computer material.

Donna-Maria Thomas, 45, had been accused of snooping on her colleagues’ emails after a row over a cancelled holiday.

The experienced teacher told her trial she endured “months of hell” and was told to watch her back after alleging cheating at Aldingbourne Primary School near Chichester, West Sussex, where she worked.

Speaking outside court after being cleared by a jury, Ms Thomas told the PA news agency that the “most important thing” is that her story is out there for the children.

She was found not guilty of a charge of securing unauthorised access to computer material at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday following a trial.