Teacher struck off after student slur

A TEACHER has been struck off after he called a schoolboy “a paedophile” in front of his class.

Richard Lewis, 61, made the “joke” because the boy had an after-school job working with children.

The boy said he was leaving for work when media teacher Mr Lewis told him: “You’re off to touch kids now are you?” in front of fellow students.

Veteran teacher Mr Lewis also repeatedly swore in front of class and made sexist remarks about women, a disciplinary panel ruled.

One 16-year-old girl on his creative media course said she was reduced to tears when Mr Lewis mocked her because her boots were rubbing and she asked if she could get a plaster.

She told the committee she asked if she could get a plaster when “cocky” Mr Lewis told her: “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 girl – named only as Learner J – said Mr Lewis “didn’t have a filter” and would swear regularly in the classroom.

Another student said he handed work into Mr Lewis and the teacher replied: “F***ing hell, what is that?”

Presenting officer Ashanti-jade Walton said Mr Lewis was investigated after one pupil at Coleg Sir Gar in Llanelli, complained about his classroom behaviour.

Miss Walton said a report found: “He also recounted stories with explicit or inappropriate content to learners and that the behaviour alleged was inappropriate or offensive.”

The hearing was told Mr Lewis would tell stories from his time touring with 1970s rock group Pig Iron.

One on occasion he was said to have told students he “had been on stage with a jock strap and pig head on, shooting fireworks from his crotch.”

A disciplinary panel found four misconduct allegations against him proven and that they amounted to unacceptable professional conduct.

He was cleared of allegedly making a comment saying: “Look at the size of her **** . I bet she’d love a **** ” and calling one a “slapper”.

Mr Lewis admitted making the other comments, saying: “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 there were “multiple occasions” when Mr Lewis swore in front of students and that the words were “particularly concerning.”

Mr Owen said the paedophile jokes were “entirely inappropriate and offensive” even when “delivered as a joke”.

He added: “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 Owen said: “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 was handed a prohibition order striking him from the teaching register for three years when he can reapply.

Mr Owen said: “He has behaved in a way that is inappropriate and unacceptable for a professional person. His actions fell significantly short.”

Mr Lewis has 28 days to appeal the ruling.