DANIEL COCHRANE AND ANDREW GREEN BANNED FOR LIFE OVER SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEENAGE GIRL IN GATESHEAD

In a case that has shocked the community of Gateshead, two educators have been permanently barred from the teaching profession following their involvement in inappropriate sexual conduct with a teenage girl. The incident, which took place over a span of several years, has raised serious concerns about safeguarding and professional ethics within the local education system.

Daniel Cochrane, aged 38, and Andrew Green, aged 32, both worked at Lord Lawson of Beamish School in Gateshead. Despite their roles not directly involving the girl, their inappropriate interactions have led to severe disciplinary actions. The events date back to 2011 when the two men began exchanging explicit text messages with the then 15-year-old girl, identified in the report as 'girl A.'

According to findings from the National College for Teaching and Leadership conduct panel, both teachers engaged in misconduct that breached professional standards. Cochrane, who had been employed at the school for 11 years, was found to have engaged in a sexual act with the girl in his car, fully aware of her age at the time. The panel confirmed that this act took place despite the clear understanding that she was only 15 years old.

Andrew Green, who had been teaching at the school for five years, also participated in sexual activity with the girl. However, the panel noted that Green believed she was over the age of 16 at the time, which influenced his actions. The girl recounted that in May 2011, she had sex with Green at his residence. She also revealed that she had exchanged sexual messages and photographs with Cochrane, although their physical meeting was limited to a single occasion. She described performing a sexual act on Cochrane in his car during that same month.

Both men resigned from their positions in March 2012, shortly after the misconduct came to light. The disciplinary panel ultimately decided to impose an indefinite ban on both teachers, effectively ending their careers in education permanently. The ruling underscores the gravity of their actions and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable students from exploitation and abuse. The case remains a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and strict oversight within educational institutions to prevent such breaches of trust.