Keighley teacher banned after driving and knife offences
A teacher who was convicted of drink driving and carrying two large kitchen knives in her bag has been banned from the profession. Lauren Jenkins, 39, who taught at Merlin Top Primary School in Keighley, pleaded guilty to both offences between March and September 2022 but failed to notify the school. After a professional conduct hearing, it was found that even though her crimes were committed outside school, her actions "demonstrated a lack of integrity" that could bring the profession into disrepute. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel ruled that Ms Jenkins actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and she was prohibited from teaching indefinitely.
The panel heard that in February 2022 Ms Jenkins was seen driving into a car park by an off-duty police officer, who believed she may have been drunk. He called 999 and Ms Jenkins was breathalysed.She was found to be three times over the legal limit for driving. She was subsequently banned from driving for two years, given a 12-month community order and fined £180. Then, in August of the same year, Ms Jenkins was arrested for possessing a bladed article after police were called to a disturbance where she had become involved in a fight while drunk. Officers found two large kitchen knives in her bag, which were not brandished during the incident. Ms Jenkins admitted the charges and was later sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and fined £239.The panel also heard Ms Jenkins had phoned a colleague and told him she had "done something silly" and been caught drink driving, but before the school could finish an internal investigation she resigned on 21 October 2022.
'No insight'
It was found Ms Jenkins, who had worked at the school since 2009, violated the school's "outside of work" code of conduct and failed in her duty to disclose the "change in her circumstances". The TRA said Ms Jenkins' actions were not in keeping with "fundamental British values" and could potentially "affect public confidence in the teaching profession". While she had been described as a "fantastic" teacher by staff, it was found she showed "no evidence of remorse or insight" about her conduct. TRA decision maker Sarah Buxcey said: "The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include a finding which involved offences which placed the public at a risk of harm, and conduct found to be dishonest and that lacked integrity." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
Historic Arnos Vale Cemetery damaged by vandals
Members of the public are being asked to "remain vigilant" and report suspicious activity after a historic graveyard was destroyed by vandals. Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust in Bristol said a total of seven graves were damaged, with Victorian marble headstones toppled over and stonework smashed. The boiler room and crypt of the Anglican Chapel, a Grade II*-listed building, were also broken into and sustained significant damage in the trust said it may have to consider adding more security measures to the site including overnight staff and additional CCTV. The graves in Arnos Vale Cemetery date back to 1839, with the first burial recorded in July of that cemetery was designed to provide a more spacious and sanitary burial ground, compared to the overcrowded parish graveyards of the a statement, the trust said: "This vandalism has understandably caused concern to everyone that cherishes Arnos Vale Cemetery as a place of remembrance, reflection, and heritage."Acts of vandalism place additional pressure on limited resources, and divert funds away from day-to-day maintenance and conservation work across the cemetery and its listed buildings."As a registered charity, the team relies on public support and donations to care for the historic site. The cemetery remains open 24 hours a day, serving as a vital pedestrian route and green space for local people. The charity said it remains "committed to maintaining this open access", but repeated incidents may lead to the trustees "reviewing these arrangements".CEO Ann Fiddler said: "We are grateful for the continued support and ask everyone to remain vigilant and report any signs of new damage to the graves or the site."Together we can ensure the protection and conservation of this unique place for generations to come."Your eyes and support can make a real difference in protecting this special place."
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Kudos to Martin for backing himself to win over support'
After four months of searching, and numerous candidates in the mix from Steven Gerrard to Davide Ancelotti, we finally have our head coach to kickstart the new era for the responsibility has been given to Russell Martin, that's right - don't squint your eyes or think this is a typo - it's actually him. Frankly, as always, I hope it works and he is successful but it appears he's the one that almost no one the online reaction, you have to give him some kudos for taking the job and backing himself to win over the trust of the thing that irked me with regard to Philippe Clement's style of football was the lack of control - it was all very will be the polar opposite. What I hope for is that he can come in and keep the positive parts of his play - the high press and high tempo - and tighten up the I always feel the sign of a good manager is someone who can improve players already at a club when you arrive. If he can get a right few of them to take their games to the next level such as Mo Diomande, Nico Raskin and Hamza Igamane, I'd be delighted with that as a starting from Martin at his first media conference today will be interesting, particularly his thoughts on the fan noise and more importantly, how he wants to move this team forward and try and win games of sporting director Kevin Thelwell and new technical director Dan Purdy must give him the tools to succeed by adding to the players mentioned above, if they remain at the club beyond the summer. It's a tough job ahead, and the recruitment has to be spot on all across the squad to get players that fit the Martin's currently have a mishmash of players who lack direction. Hopefully with a new manager and new players coming in things will become more cohesive on the pitch.I'm intrigued where this will go, what calibre of player we can attract and how Martin's philosophy will work both domestically and in be honest, going into next season, fan opinion, possession stats and philosophies won't really matter. It's silverware that counts and if you wanted Martin or were a bit dubious, like myself, you just hope he comes in and delivers.
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
Brit backpacker, 24, faces 20 years in jail after ‘mowing down dad-of-two on e-scooter following six-hour pub session'
A BRITISH backpacker is facing 20 years behind bars after allegedly ploughing into a dad-of-two with a hired e-scooter while more than three times the drink-drive limit. Alicia Kemp, 24, was denied bail in an Australian court after being charged over the horror smash that left 51-year-old Thanh Phan with fatal head injuries. 2 2 The holidaymaker is accused of striking Phan from behind while speeding down a footpath in Perth with a friend on board as a passenger. The Brit had also been drinking for six hours before the crash, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. Prosecutors said Kemp had a blood alcohol content of 0.158 when she 'careered into his back' at up to 25km/h as the dad stood at a crossing on Saturday night. The court heard walkers had to 'take evasive action' to avoid Kemp's 'inexplicably dangerous' riding, which was captured on CCTV. Her 26-year-old passenger also suffered a fractured skull and broken nose. Kemp, who was in Australia on a four-month tourist visa with her partner, had been working at Durty Nelly's Irish Pub in Perth. She had been drinking with a friend from 2.30pm before they hired the e-scooter just before 8.30pm. Her bail bid was rejected after a magistrate ruled she posed too great a flight risk. 'It's a very difficult decision for the court to make,' the magistrate said. 'The temptation might be that [she] won't return… I can't manage that risk.' Brit facing death penalty in coke smuggling plot all smiles after court rant Phan's devastated family described him as a 'beloved husband, father of two, brother, and dear friend', and are now calling for a crackdown on e-scooter safety laws. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk,' they said in a statement. In a statement released through police, Phan's grieving family pleaded for privacy and called on authorities to tighten e-scooter hire regulations. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk,' they said. Phan's loved ones described him as a 'beloved husband, father of two, brother, and dear friend,' and have urged policymakers to curb the growing number of e-scooter incidents in Perth's Central Business District. Local Councillor Anita Fong, who has been campaigning for stricter e-scooter rules, said yesterday that the accident underlined the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures. 'We have seen too many near-misses and hospitalisations in recent months,' Fong stated. 'This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call.' Kemp remains in custody on remand and is due back in court on July 15. Police prosecutors argued that Kemp's status as a foreign tourist working in Perth made her a flight risk, and highlighted the severity of her charges. Western Australian police have confirmed they will continue to investigate whether any additional offences, including possible public nuisance charges, could be laid against Kemp. Meanwhile, e-scooter hire companies in the city are already feeling pressure to introduce speed limiters and more rigorous ID checks after dark.
