A supply teacher has been permanently banned from the teaching profession after misusing her power of attorney to access and spend funds from an elderly family friend’s bank account. The General Teaching Council (GTC) found her actions constituted a severe breach of trust and professional misconduct.
Incident Details
Between May 2021 and March 2023, the teacher, whose identity remains confidential due to legal protections, utilized her position to access the bank account of a vulnerable, housebound pensioner. She made unauthorized purchases, including:
- Rent payments
- Shopping at retailers like Amazon, Klarna, Clearpay, Tesco, M&S, and ASDA
- Fuel expenses
Initially claiming the funds were borrowed as a “short-term measure,” she later admitted to fraudulent activity and expressed remorse for her actions.
Legal and Professional Consequences
The teacher was sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court to:
- 150 hours of unpaid community service
- Financial compensation to the victim
Subsequently, the GTC conducted an investigation and concluded that her fitness to teach was “impaired,” leading to a permanent ban from the teaching profession.
Context and Implications
This case underscores the importance of ethical conduct, especially when entrusted with legal authority over another individual’s finances. Misuse of power of attorney not only breaches legal obligations but also erodes public trust in professionals.
Source
This article is based on information reported by STV News: Teacher defrauded ‘vulnerable’ family friend to pay for rent and shopping trips.
