A science teacher who drank half a bottle of wine before school and crashed his car into a tree was heard before a professional conduct panel.
John Lees, a teacher at Brookfield Community School in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was found to be almost double the drink-drive limit when breathalysed after the incident.
The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) has now published a professional conduct report stating that Lees admitted to a charge of drink-driving at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court in 2023.
However, the TRA decided not to impose a prohibition order, which would have barred him from teaching, noting it was satisfied the event was a “one-off” and that Lees had shown remorse.
The panel heard that Lees had consumed wine on the morning before setting off to work. Following the crash on 16 January 2023, a breath test revealed 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
He pleaded guilty to drink-driving, was disqualified from driving for 17 months, and fined.
The TRA report, published in March, noted that his actions “could affect public confidence in the teaching profession, given the influence teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community.”
It continued:
“Had Mr Lees made it into the school on the day of the incident, he would have been under the influence of alcohol.
“Mr Lees commented that as a parent he would not be comfortable if his children were being taught by someone who taught whilst under the influence of alcohol.
“The panel felt that this admission demonstrated insight. The panel was satisfied that the incident was a one-off event.”
Lees informed the panel he had been under stress at work but had not communicated this to his family, instead choosing to “self-medicate with alcohol.”
He has since left Brookfield Community School, where he had taught for nearly 20 years, and took a temporary role at another unnamed school.
References provided by his new employer described him as professional in his new role and noted that he had proved such an asset that he was subsequently offered a permanent position.
The TRA recommended that Lees should not be given a prohibition order.
Marc Cavey, Chief Executive, who made the final decision on behalf of the Secretary of State, agreed, stating that a “repetition was unlikely.”
He wrote:
“I consider that the publication of the findings made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable and that the publication would meet the public interest requirement of declaring proper standards of the profession.”
Brookfield Community School and Redhill Academy Trust, which oversees the school, were contacted for comment.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
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