Teacher caught out by paedophile hunters is banned from the classroom
John Lane, 47, worked for Education Plus North East in Durham until he was arrested in June 2020.
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Hide AdIt came after the school was made aware of a Facebook video which appeared to show Mr Lane being confronted by a paedophile hunter group, known as Cost Child Safety Team, outside his home.
In the video, he was accused of sending sexual messages to someone who he believed was 15-years-old.
He appeared at Darlington Magistrates Court later that month, where he pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
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Hide AdHe was given a six-month prison sentence, that was suspended for two years, hit with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register.
A Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel reviewed the case and ruled that Mr Lane should be banned from teaching indefinitely.
In its ruling, the panel stated Mr Lane “posed a risk to children of school age” because he believed he was engaging in sexual communication with a child.
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Hide AdIt stated: “Mr Lane’s behaviour to be at the more serious end of the spectrum and incompatible with being a teacher.
"The panel noted Mr Lane had not offered any explanation or reassurance that there would not be a repetition of his behaviour.”
It added: “Mr Lane’s behaviour in committing the offence was likely to affect public confidence in the teaching profession, given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community.”