NEWPORT council is carrying out an investigation into claims that a local primary school teacher used the identity of another baby to trick her ex-boyfriend into thinking it was his.

Sarah Jensen, 22, from Abercarn, claims that Ringland Primary School teacher Victoria Jones used photos of her 18-month-old daughter Aliyah Lovell from social networking site Facebook to pretend the baby was hers.

Miss Jensen went to Bassaleg School with Ms Jones and had not spoken to her for six years but were friends on Facebook.

She said she put photos including scan images of her baby on her Facebook page but claims Ms Jones used them to pretend they were her baby.

The mother-of-one had put the photos on the social networking site so her grandparents, who live 150 miles away, could see them.

But Miss Jensen said her former friend sent the pictures to her 24-year-old ex-boyfriend, Daniel Barberini, saying Aliyah was theirs.

She said the teacher told him she had given birth to twins called Keira and Harrison in New York and had then emigrated to Australia.

Ms Jones is alleged to have told him that the one twin, Harrison, died shortly after birth and that Keira was mute and had Down’s syndrome.

A series of emails sent from Ms Jones to Mr Barberini were forwarded to Miss Jensen by Mr Barberini.

For example, on April 15, 2009 Ms Jones wrote: “Kei is sleeping right through now, she’s growing up so quickly. I know, I was crying. I mean she was born premature and yet she’s fit and healthy and doing sooo well, I’m so proud.”

In another email sent to Mr Barberini on October 25, last year, Ms Jones listed details about the baby’s weight and show size.

She wrote: “What’s her favourite activity to do with her mum? Cuddles and she loves swimming. Has she picked up any naughty habits yet? Only throwing things when I say no!”

Although Miss Jensen did not see the photos of her daughter on Facebook actually being used by the teacher, she said it all came out two weeks ago.

Mandy Mason, 24, of Persondy Terrace, Abercarn, is a friend of Mr Barberini and a neighbour of Miss Jensen’s mother.

She said Mr Barberini had shown her pictures of the baby he thought was his daughter.

She said: “He said he had a daughter and when he showed me different photos I thought they looked familiar.”

Ms Mason said she then realised the picture on his phone was the same Miss Jensen had on her Facebook profile page of her daughter Aliyah.

She said the photos he had been sent by Ms Jones also included photos with Miss Jensen on, who Ms Jones had apparently referred to in her emails as her "rock" called Lisa.

Ms Mason said Mr Barberini, who lives near Bridgend, had a relationship with Ms Jones for about 15 months and that he ended their relationship.

Miss Jensen’s mother, Sharron Jensen, said: “That poor boy. Not only does he think he’s lost his son but it’s now like he’s lost his daughter as well. He was absolutely devastated.”

Miss Jensen, who lives with her partner Justin Lovell, 29, immediately went to the police.

She said Ms Jones phoned her after it all came out wanting to speak to her to explain but she refused to meet her.

Miss Jensen and Ms Mason said Mr Barberini told them he was due to meet Ms Jones in a London hotel on Monday, March 15 and that she said he could spend the week with the baby before she flew back to Australia.

Miss Jensen said she is now on anti-depressants, is having trouble sleeping and is worried about leaving the house.

She said she was shocked Ms Jones was allowed to be at school, saying: “I would stop my children going to school if she was a teacher there.”

Miss Jensen said her solicitor has written to Ms Jones asking her to keep away from the family and will apply for an injunction if necessary.

Police: It's no criminal offence

The Argus made requests at Ms Jones' home in Machen for her to respond to the claims but she has failed to do so.

A Gwent Police spokesman said police received a report on February 23 about the alleged misuse of photographs taken from a social networking site.

He said officers made initial enquiries but no criminal offences had been committed.

Letters were sent out to parents of pupils at Ringland Primary School last week informing them that investigations were being carried out about a member of staff after a story appeared in the national media.

Newport City Council said the issue has been thoroughly investigated with the school, education authority and the council’s education and child protection services.

A spokeswoman said: “All the relevant agencies have been working together to ensure that the welfare of children at the school remains of paramount importance, and that all necessary measures have been taken.”

She said the council and the school are continuing to investigate.