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.

It 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.

He 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.

It 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.”