ANDREW SIMMS FROM WEST MIDLANDS BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER GROOMING TEENAGE GIRL
In July 2022, a disturbing case emerged involving Andrew Simms, a teacher from the West Midlands, who was found guilty of grooming a teenage girl for sexual activity and engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship with her.As a result of his actions, Simms has been permanently barred from teaching in any capacity within England.
Andrew Simms, aged 44, was employed as an engineering teacher at CTC Kingshurst College, where he had served as the head of the department since 2014.
His misconduct came to light when he took a 16-year-old girl to his home while his wife was at work, convincing her to engage in sexual intercourse.
During the investigation, Simms attempted to shift blame onto the girl, claiming she was 'attention seeking' in her interactions with him.
Details of the case revealed that Simms’s inappropriate conduct extended beyond this incident.
In January 2018, the girl, referred to as Pupil A, confided in another teacher that she and another pupil, Pupil B, had received inappropriate messages from Simms.
She also disclosed that she was aware of Pupil B having a sexual relationship with him.
The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) disciplinary panel heard evidence that Pupil B was picked up by Simms, who drove her to his home.
There, they drank tea before going upstairs, where they shared a kiss and engaged in full sexual intercourse while Simms’s wife was working at night.
The panel was informed that Simms’s inappropriate contact with pupils persisted over time.
Pupil B frequently visited his house for sex, during which he continued to groom her by buying her outfits to wear.
The grooming behavior was further evidenced by the fact that Simms’s relationship with Pupil B continued even after she transferred to a new college.
However, she later felt guilty about her interactions with him, especially considering that Simms was married with a family, and she had developed an interest in a boy.
Simms admitted to having an inappropriate sexual relationship with Pupil B when she was 16.
Nonetheless, the panel did not agree with the assertion that the sexual contact began after her 16th birthday, noting that his conduct involved multiple pupils and that he showed no remorse for his actions.
Consequently, the panel imposed a lifetime ban on Simms from teaching, citing the seriousness of his misconduct.
Sarah Buxcey, the decision maker for the TRA, emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “Andrew Simms is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children’s home in England.” She further explained that due to the gravity of the proven allegations, Simms would not be eligible to apply for restoration of his teaching credentials.
Criminal proceedings also took place against Simms, who faced charges related to having sex with a girl who was only 15 years old.
Initially, he denied any sexual contact, but evidence was uncovered when police examined a pink suspender belt belonging to the girl, which contained his DNA.
Prosecutor David Swinnerton from Birmingham Crown Court stated, “He said she had sent him a picture of herself in her underwear and felt trapped by her.
He then stupidly exchanged other messages.” Simms ultimately admitted to grooming the girl but claimed that the sexual contact did not occur until after she turned 16.
Despite this, the jury at Birmingham Crown Court found him not guilty of the charges, accepting that the sexual contact began after her 16th birthday.
Further evidence presented during the disciplinary hearing revealed that Simms made inappropriate comments to another girl, Pupil A, calling her ‘gorgeous’ and suggesting he could not control himself around her.
He also inquired if she was wearing a bra after she mentioned feeling hot, and when she said she had nothing on underneath, he told her to take off her jumper.
These comments contributed to the panel’s decision to ban him for life.
In his written defense, Simms displayed arrogance, stating, “The TRA has to accept that they are dealing with teenage girls… There is a high likelihood of the risk of exaggeration and attention seeking.” His actions and attitude have led to a permanent prohibition from the teaching profession in the West Midlands and beyond.
