"Teacher from Mass. charged with assaulting teen
Police in Portsmouth, R.I., say they have concluded their investigation into a Middletown teacher suspected of assaulting a 17-year-old girl outside a Rhode Island motel where he allegedly rented a room for himself and the girl. Detective Lieutenant Brian Davies said in a statement Saturday that Patrick Aylward, 39, of Fall River, Mass., has been charged with one count of domestic simple assault, but investigators did not have evidence for additional charges. Aylward pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in Newport District Court about two weeks ago. Police say the physical education and health teacher at Middletown High School head-butted the girl Feb. 16 outside a Portsmouth motel. At that time, police said they were investigating a ‘‘substantive dating relationship’’ between Aylward and the girl, who is a junior at the same high school. School officials have placed Aylward on paid leave while they investigate. A call to Aylward’s home was not answered (AP)."