A HEADTEACHER is back at “the school he loves” — following a nightmare year in which a criminal stole his identity and bombarded an unsuspecting woman with texts, pictures and emails.

Colin Watson was removed from his post at Ladybridge Primary when the allegations first came to light in April this year and suspended for 10 weeks.

He was banned from speaking to anyone at the school while an investigation was carried out, but detectives working on the case eventually traced the messages — purporting to be from Mr Watson — to another man who has since appeared in court and pleaded guilty to harrassment.

Mr Watson said: "It was a difficult time but I knew I would be back because the allegations where wholly and completely untrue.

“I had so much support from parents, which I was told of at an investigation meeting, and you come back better than ever if people believe in what you do.

“If you are suspended you can feel negative about the place you work, but with the support of parents, staff and governors, I love this place more than ever.”

Kevan Broughton, aged 42, of Knightswood, Daubhill, pleaded guilty to harassing a woman by sending numerous emails and texts while pretending to be Mr Watson.

Bolton Magistrates Court heard Broughton carried out “sustained harassment” over a period of 11 months, between May 2013 and April 2014.

He was given a 12-week jail sentence — suspended for one year — at Bolton Magistrates Court because the offence was described to be “so serious”.

Broughton, who was was given credit for his guilty plea, was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £165 costs and £500 in compensation to his victims.

Mr Watson, who has been at the school for 10 years, praised police for tracing Broughton.

He added: “It is onwards and upwards. It was hard being away from the school.

"When you are suspended you cannot have contact with anyone from the school but as soon as I got back, I fell in love with it all over again. There is so much positivity at this school.

“I stayed motivated by planning and thinking about what I was going to do when I was back. It is such an exciting time for the school in achieving great things.”

The school was described as a good school with outstanding features by Ofsted last May, with inspectors praising Mr Watson and his deputy head for their commitment.

While he was suspended, parents organised a petition in a bid to get him back at school.

In a letter to parents this month, Melanie Whitehead, chairman of governors, said: “Following the reinstatement of Mr Watson, I am able to confirm that a man has been charged and convicted with regard to impersonating him.

“Consequently, all allegations against Mr Watson have been dropped.

“The governors would like to thank the school community for their patience and support over the last few months.”

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “The suspension has been lifted and the individual concerned has returned to work.”