A VALE mother has defended her son who returned to school this week after shooting a teacher with a plastic pellet.

Curita Forrest says eleven-year-old Geraint Pilcher is not a nasty boy and that the whole incident has been blown out of proportion.

The mum went to an independent appeals panel after her son was permanently barred from Llantwit Major School for accidentally shooting 40-year old sociology teacher Dr John Alter in the neck with a plastic pellet.

Geraint was initially excluded by headteacher Dr Michael Norton, but the panel ruled in the young lad's favour.

Yesterday morning, Curita explained why she had spoken out now.

She said: "I got a call to say that the story was to be in the national newspapers on Monday.

"But when I saw it was all over the front page, I was shocked. Although no names were given, everyone knew who it was and it sounded like Geraint had done this deliberately. He didn't. It was an accident."

According to Curita, Geraint's friend brought the toy gun in and it was while the lads were playing 'Cowboys and Indians' the pellet accidentally hit the teacher.

Geraint was immediately expelled while his friend was suspended.

According to Curita, her son immediately wrote a letter of apology while she contacted the school.

But Dr Alter had Geraint arrested.

Curita added: "The teachers wanted Geraint assessed.

The chief psychologist was asked whether Geraint was a danger to teachers and he said no.

It was blown out of all proportion."

The school issued a comment through the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

A spokesman said: "The education authority has complied with all the appropriate procedures in relation to this matter.

"Under current legislation, the parents of any excluded pupil have the right to challenge such a decision through an independent appeals panel and this was the course adopted in this case.

"The decision to re-admit the pupil was entirely one for the panel and the education authority's responsibility has been to implement that decision, working in conjunction with the school and the teaching unions."

Geraint returned to school on Monday.