Ex-teacher banned over sexual misconduct allegations

The panel said Stephen Turner showed a "lack of remorse"

A former teacher from a college in Leicester has been barred from ever working in the profession again, following allegations about sexual misconduct.

Stephen Turner, 71, who taught at Judgemeadow Community College in Evington from 1976 to 2000, was found by a professional conduct panel to have developed an "inappropriate relationship" with a male pupil in the late 1980s.

An earlier police inquiry in 2020 concluded with no further action taken against Mr Turner.

But the evidence was referred to a panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), which found his conduct serious enough to bring the profession into disrepute.

The panel heard evidence from a man it called Pupil X, who had first raised an allegation of sexual assault against Mr Turner in 2020.

Pupil X told the panel Mr Turner was a PE teacher who had driven him to matches in his car.

He explained the teacher would drive him down country roads and touch his thigh and genitals, over the top of his trousers.

The panel also believed the former pupil's testimony that Mr Turner had told him what happened in the car was "our secret".

'Lack of remorse'

Mr Turner disputed the pupil's account, but the panel said it found the complainant's evidence more credible.

The panel said Mr Turner's evidence was often contradictory. He initially said he did not remember the boy, but later admitted he had let the boy in his car.

It said "there was a lack of evidence of insight or remorse on the part of Mr Turner", adding "he had not shown that he understood the impact of his inappropriate contact or the impact that this had had on Pupil X".

Mr Turner defended his behaviour in written correspondence with the TRA, but did not attend, and was not represented at, the panel hearing.

Marc Cavey, the chief executive of the TRA, decided to impose a prohibition order on Mr Turner, meaning he may not teach in any school or college in future.

Mr Cavey added the order would "maintain public confidence" in the teaching profession.

A spokesperson for the Lionheart Educational Trust, of which Judgemeadow Community College is now a part, said: "This follows a historical matter taking place around 30 years ago which pre-dates the school joining the Trust.

"The health, safety and wellbeing of our students is paramount, and we condemn any misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.

"We follow strict and robust safeguarding measures and are supportive of the outcomes which reflect the seriousness of the allegations found proved."

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