RI teacher from Mass. accused of head-butting teen

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) -- Police in Portsmouth say they have concluded their investigation into a Middletown high school teacher suspected of assaulting a 17-year-old girl outside a Rhode Island motel where he allegedly rented a room for him and the student.

Detective Lt. Brian Davies says in a statement released Saturday that Patrick Aylward of Fall River has been charged with one count of domestic simple assault.

Davies says, at this time, investigators do not have enough evidence to prove that additional crimes have occurred in Portsmouth.

Just over two weeks ago, the 39-year-old Aylward pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in Newport District Court.

Police say the physical education and health teacher at Middletown High School head-butted the girl Feb. 16 outside a Portsmouth motel. Officers said then that they were investigating what they call a "substantive dating relationship" between Aylward and the girl, who's a junior at Middletown High School.

School officials have placed Aylward on paid leave while they investigate. A call to Aylward's home was not answered.

Cox Media Group