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Teacher Struck Off After Calling Pupil A 'Paedophile' For Coaching Swimming

Teacher Struck Off After Calling Pupil A 'Paedophile' For Coaching Swimming

He was also found to have made sexist comments about women

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A teacher has been struck off after making numerous inappropriate comments to pupils, including calling one a 'paedophile' because he taught children how to swim.

Media teacher Richard Lewis, 61, was investigated after a student complained about his behaviour while he worked at Coleg Sir Gar college in Llanelli, Wales.

A committee hearing was told he made sexist remarks and 'recounted stories with explicit or inappropriate content' to students.

Wales News Service

He made repeated 'jokes' about one pupil - named as Learner E - being a 'paedophile' and on one occasion when the student was leaving for work asked him in front of his classmates: "You're off to touch kids now are you?"

In another incident he left a 16-year-old pupil in 'tears' after she asked for a plaster because her boots had rubbed her feet and was told: "This is why women won't get the jobs they want because they turn up in ridiculous stiletto heels and end up walking barefoot. It's also why they won't get equal rights with wages."

The teen, named as Learner J, said Lewis had 'no filter'.

She said: "He would say 'f***ing hell, how have you done that now?' I thought if someone had walked into the class they would have kicked off because he was swearing so much."

A disciplinary panel found four misconduct allegations against Lewis were proven and he was struck off the teaching register for three years.

Presenting officer Ashanti-Jade Walton said a report found: "On one or more occasions he made comments referring to Learner E as a paedophile.

"On more than one occasion he swore in the presence of learners including the terms f***, s***, and c**p.

Wales News Service

"He also recounted stories with explicit or inappropriate content to learners and that the behaviour alleged was inappropriate or offensive."

Lewis admitted to making the comments and said he was 'very ashamed'.

He said: "I didn't hide from anything, I've said I've done them. I have had plenty of time to reflect and I'm very ashamed about the issues that have been raised.

"I am deeply ashamed of the comments now especially when said in jest."

Chair Peter Owen said: "It is entirely inappropriate to make jokes around the term 'paedophile' in any context and it's clear Learner E found it very upsetting.

"Mr Lewis made derogatory and sexist comments to Learner J in the presence of other learners.

"His comments were inappropriate and offensive and his conduct was not becoming of a registered professional."

Mr Lewis has 28 days to appeal the ruling.

Featured Image Credit: Wales News Service

Topics: UK News, Wales