DAVID GIDEON SHROPSHIRE TEACHER BANNED FOR LIFE OVER ONLINE SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN OSWESTRY

In September 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving David Gideon, a 67-year-old educator from Shropshire, who faced a lifetime ban from the teaching profession following serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors. The misconduct was uncovered through a detailed investigation conducted by a misconduct panel, which found Gideon guilty of engaging in sexually motivated behavior with young girls, despite the offenses occurring prior to his employment at The Marches School in Oswestry.

According to the findings, Gideon had engaged in inappropriate and predatory conversations with the mother of a young girl, during which he explicitly discussed the possibility of engaging in sexual acts with her daughter. It was reported that he told the mother he was willing to go as far as she wanted him to in terms of sexual activity. These conversations raised significant concerns about his intentions and conduct.

Further evidence revealed that Gideon used online platforms such as Skype and Yahoo Chat to communicate with other young girls, requesting explicit photographs from them. The investigation uncovered that he had received indecent images of children on his computer and had discussed child abuse over his electronic devices with an individual he admitted believed to be a paedophile. One particularly alarming message reportedly referenced the sexual abuse of a nine-year-old girl, highlighting the severity and depravity of his online activities.

Gideon’s actions were characterized by the panel as “calculated, motivated and deliberate,” indicating a pattern of predatory behavior. Despite the weight of evidence, Gideon denied all allegations, attempting to dismiss his conduct as trivial internet chat. However, the National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) panel, which heard the case in Coventry, concluded that his explanations were insufficient and that his behavior was indeed sexually motivated.

The panel emphasized that Gideon sought to minimize the gravity of his actions, describing his conduct as “nothing more than internet chat,” which the panel found to be a gross understatement given the context and evidence presented. The investigation revealed that Gideon began working at The Marches School in Oswestry on a part-time basis in January 2014. However, his employment was short-lived, as Flintshire Social Services informed the school in November 2014 that Gideon had been arrested on suspicion of possessing images of child abuse on his electronic devices.

Following this revelation, The Marches School promptly terminated his employment in December 2014. Gideon subsequently resigned from his position in January 2015. The NCTL panel found him guilty on the balance of probabilities of all the allegations, confirming that his conduct was “sexually motivated” and involved communications of an “abhorrent sexual nature” with children. These actions were deemed to constitute unacceptable professional conduct and a serious breach of trust.

Alan Meyrick, Deputy Director of the NCTL, stated that banning Gideon was “in the public interest,” underscoring the importance of protecting children from individuals with a history of such behavior. He explained, “In light of the panel’s findings against Mr. Gideon, which involved sexually motivated discussions about child abuse with two adults, receipt of explicit images of child abuse, and sexually motivated discussions online with children (including receipt of images from children), there is a strong public interest consideration in respect of the ongoing protection of children.”

Following the decision, Alison Pearson, headteacher of The Marches School, issued a statement clarifying that the incidents leading to the allegations were entirely unrelated to the school or its students. She emphasized that the school’s recruitment and safeguarding procedures adhere strictly to government standards. Pearson confirmed that once the school was notified by Flintshire County Council about Gideon’s arrest, he was suspended immediately and did not return to the school, ensuring the safety and well-being of the students and staff.