January 7th 2025.
A shocking incident at Fishburn Primary School has led to a teacher being permanently banned from ever setting foot in a classroom again. David Crawford, who had been employed at the school since 2005, committed a terrifying act of violence against a female colleague on May 4, 2020. During a disciplinary hearing, it was revealed that Mr. Crawford had held a butter knife to the woman's throat and made threatening comments.
According to the presenting officer for the Teacher Regulation Agency, Adam Slack, the assault took place in the main school office and was witnessed by another staff member. The colleague reported that Mr. Crawford had approached her from behind, put his arm across her chest, and held the knife to her throat. As she tried to free herself, he made a chilling remark about "slashing" her. The whole ordeal lasted for about two minutes, leaving the victim in tears.
Witness A, the staff member who witnessed the incident, stated that Mr. Crawford had also made inappropriate comments about the victim's appearance, saying that she needed to be "slashed down a size." The seriousness of the assault, which involved the use of a knife, was a significant factor in the decision made by the disciplinary panel.
In the aftermath of the incident, Mr. Crawford reportedly apologized to the woman, claiming that he had been "clowning around." However, his actions could not be brushed aside. The incident was reported to the police, and Mr. Crawford was later convicted of assault at Peterlee Magistrates' Court. He was fined and ordered to pay a victim surcharge and court costs. The matter was then referred to the Teacher Regulation Agency.
After a thorough hearing, the panel found Mr. Crawford guilty of the allegations against him and deemed a prohibition order to be appropriate. This means that he is not allowed to teach in any educational institution in England and has also been banned from applying for restoration of his eligibility to teach. The panel stated that their decision was based on the seriousness of the offense, which took place during school hours and in the presence of students.
Mr. Crawford did not provide any admission of guilt or defend himself against the accusations. In an email, he denied any wrongdoing and referred to the accusations as "dishonest." However, this could not change the panel's decision, and he was ultimately banned from teaching indefinitely. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all in the educational setting.
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