TEACHER SENT SEXUAL MESSAGES TO STUDENTS AND GETS BANNED FROM TEACHING

A Carmarthenshire teacher who sent thousands of sexual messages to three pupils has been banned from teaching for five years.Christopher Clarke, age 29, contacted girls aged 15 and 16 at the time through social media platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter.He also bought gifts for the students at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, such as T-shirts, earrings, sweets, and games consoles. An Education Workforce Council hearing concluded that his actions amounted to professional misconduct.One girl recounted how Mr Clarke sent a message saying: "I kept having the same thought over and over again. How much I wanted to grab you, kiss you..."The girl, now 19, also revealed that he invited her to one-on-one sessions in his chemistry office and instructed her not to show anyone the gifts he had given her.Another girl, now aged 17, said that his behavior made her feel uncomfortable and described his actions as "acting in a creepy nature." A third student expressed her concern when she told Mr Clarke she thought his messages were inappropriate, and he subsequently asked her to delete their conversation.Though police investigated, no criminal charges were filed against Mr Clarke. The school also initiated an investigation, but he resigned before any findings could be determined.Steve Powell, chairman of the Education Workforce Council, said Mr Clarke's conduct "clearly breached boundaries between teachers and pupils" and described his actions as "falling very short of the expected professional standards," which amounted to unacceptable conduct.