A teacher crashed his car into a tree after downing half a bottle of wine on his way to school. A Teaching Regulation Agency panel heard John Lees was almost double the legal limit, but ruled he can continue working as a teacher.
Mr Lees told the panel he was “under stress from work” and was using alcohol to self-medicate. At the time of the crash he had been working at Brookfield Community School in Chesterfield for almost 20 years, but now works at another school, not named by the panel. The hearing was told that before driving to work in January 2023, Mr Lees “drank half a bottle of wine“, according to the Telegraph.
Panel members heard Mr Lees’ car “collided with a tree” and he was breathalysed by the police, who took a reading of 61 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, over the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
He pleaded guilty to drink driving at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court where he was fined and disqualified from driving for 17 months, according to the same publication.
In April of the same year, the science teacher resigned his post at Brookfield Community School.
He told the panel he was “under stress from work” at that time and his “relationship with alcohol” was difficult.
Panel members decided Mr Lees was apologetic and had used the time since what happened to “reflect” on his actions.
His new school described Mr Lees as an “integral” member of staff and there was no reason to suspect he has been under the influence of alcohol.
The panel decided a prohibition order wasn’t necessary, concluding that his “extensive insight and remorse” showed “a repetition is unlikely”. It also noted a “repetition is unlikely”.
Made on behalf of the Secretary of State, the conclusion added: “I have also noted his good history and the contribution he is currently making to the sector. I agree with the panel that a prohibition order is not proportionate or in the public interest.”
