Teacher ‘left toxic’ by pupil rape trial

A GEOGRAPHY teacher cleared of raping a pupil has warned that men should steer clear of the profession, after a false allegation shattered his dream career.

Kato Harris, who was a head of department at an all-girls school in London, was accused of attacking a 14-year-old student three times in a classroom during lunch breaks in autumn 2013 – but was found not guilty after a trial last year.

The 38-year-old said that before his ordeal began “life was like a wonderful dream”, and with a successful career and a child also on the way he was “looking forward to a great future”.

Now Mr Harris has revealed that “one of the biggest challenges” he faces is forgiving his accuser, something he said he will do, “just not now”.

He said: “I would certainly advocate that no man qualify as a teacher. It is just not worth it.

“What is the lesson here? There is nothing to protect the male teacher.”

A jury found Mr Harris, from Richmond, south-west London, not guilty of all charges following his trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

“I had to give up my dream job because of a crime I didn’t commit,” he said.

“I am unemployed, living in a bedsit and will soon be on housing benefit. I am toxic.”

Mr Harris, who revealed he is now considering a job in a crematorium, added: “If I knew on the day I qualified what I know now, I would never have become a teacher.

“I will never work with children again – I will never put myself in that position of vulnerability.”

The accusations emerged in December 2014, and Mr Harris said he was in “total shock” when police arrested him.

He added: “I’ve looked into the abyss, but every day I wake up and I’m a daddy and not in prison.”