BRISTOL RE TEACHER BANNED AFTER HAVING SEX WITH TEENAGE GIRL
A teacher who had sex with one of his pupils the day after she finished school has been banned from the profession forever.Richard Murphy, a religious education (RE) teacher at a Bristol school, invited the girl to his house and engaged in sexual activity, according to a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel.
The teenager, known as Pupil A, also claimed they had previously had "sexual activity" in the school and he sent her "explicit pictures of himself in the staff bathrooms".
The TRA found Murphy guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and banned him from teaching.
The panel noted that starting the relationship less than 24 hours after Pupil A was a student was especially significant.
Murphy admitted knowing the girl and that their relationship was based on their time as teacher and student, highlighting a power imbalance.
In a statement, Murphy expressed remorse, primarily feeling regret for himself and apologized to students and colleagues.
A police allegation was reported in November 2020, but the CPS decided not to charge after review, though the victim planned to appeal.
