‘Teacher’s lewd image was shared by pupils online’
AMUSIC teacher who sent a photograph of his bottom to a former pupil after engaging in sexual conversations by text faces being struck off.
Dale Aubrey Evans was a teacher at Cardiff High School when he accepted a friend request from a former student at a school where he had previously worked.
An Education Workforce Council (EWC) Fitness to Practise hearing held in Cardiff heard that the then 17-year-old former pupil, known as Pupil A in proceedings, told Mr Evans he was gay and the teacher responded by giving him his personal telephone number.
Evans began texting what he thought was Pupil A’s number but it belonged to a younger boy, referred to in proceedings as Person C, who sent Mr Evans a Photoshopped picture of a pornographic image with Pupil A’s face on it.
In response, Mr Evans sent photos of himself bending over a bed with his bare bottom on show, which was subsequently shared on Snapchat by Person C, Pupil A and another former pupil, referred to as Pupil B, who Mr Evans had also been messaging on Facebook.
It is alleged that Mr Evans’ conduct was sexually motivated and constituted “unacceptable professional conduct”.
A police investigation took place after a complaint was made against Mr Evans but they found no criminal behaviour had taken place.
The former teacher has denied his actions were unacceptable and claims he was a victim of “discriminatory and homophobic” treatment by the former pupils, as they lied to him in order to out him.
Case presenter Cadi Dewi told the hearing Mr Evans had taken up a position of head of music at Cardiff High School when the allegations surfaced.
Ms Dewi added: “Mr Evans accepted friend requests from two former pupils. Pupil A said he engaged in conversation with Mr Evans, who became flirty.
“Pupil A messaged Mr Evans telling him he was gay and Mr Evans sent his personal phone number. He passed that number to Person C, who messaged Mr Evans, pretending to be pupil A.
“Whilst representing Cardiff High School at a conference in Manchester, Mr Evans sent text messages of a sexual nature to Person C believing him to be Pupil A.
“They became explicit, pictures were sent and a photograph was widely shared. The former pupils said they pretended to be gay for amusement. After receiving the photos from Mr Evans, the three individuals blocked him.”
Representing Mr Evans, Colin Adkins said his client was the victim. He said: “These pupils were intent on outing a gay teacher.”
The hearing continues.