Full hearing (conduct)

1. On 18 August 2020 at Forfar Sheriff Court, the Teacher was convicted of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm contrary to Section 38(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, in that, on 28 February 2019 at Lochside Primary School, he did act in an aggressive manner towards the children in his care, repeatedly shout, repeatedly bang his hands down on a table and throw a book across the classroom causing the book to strike off the wall or bookcase.  
2. ‍
   
   • (a) Between 22 February and 1 June 2019, whilst employed by Angus Council as a teacher at Lochside Primary School, in various comments, pictures, and videos posted to his personal Facebook page, the Teacher did: 
     
     • (i) Alongside an article titled ‘Travellers who wrecked historic brewery are jailed for eight years’ state: ‘Travellers, no wonder why in Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and other countries, these "people" are, let's say "unloved" everywhere they go they wreck places, steal, leave rubbish, criminality is rising. [U\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*n].’  
     • (ii) Alongside a link to clarionproject.org, state: ‘This is the death cult that Shemina Begum, the Isis [w\*\*\*e] joined. More atrocities. She and her little inbred should never be allowed back in Europe’ 
     • (iii) In sharing a post by another with a picture containing the heading ‘Christianity History’ and the comment ‘If you think ISIS is bad. This is what Catholics use (sic) to do. Think people’ state: ‘A [m\*\*z] trying to take the moral stance, ignoring today’s actions by his fellow cult followers and instead trying to deflect their tortures, rapes and murders by showing actions from the distant past (at least 500 years ago). Get a life [m\*\*z]. [angry swearing emoji]’ 
     • (iv) In sharing a post by another which contained a picture of Kermit the Frog holding a wine bottle with the comment ‘Awww you’re spreading rumours about me…at least you found a hobby spreading something other than your legs [b\*\*\*h]!’ state: ‘Sure someone will know what I mean and recognise herself [angry face emoji]’. 
     • (v) Alongside a photograph of what appears to be a group of people wearing garments covering their face and body, state: ‘Never, in the history of sun shades, so many black parasols been put on display. On a more serious note, these filthy tarts are the remnants of Isis terrorist brides. Can’t believe so many were missed by air strikes [angry face emoji]’ 
     • (vi) State: ‘Just had the misfortune meet to a woman that is angry at the fact that she is working class and does not like middle class because her mother was a single mother, hello, not my fault, don’t cry baby, not my fault if your understanding is…well…rather flawed by a lack of, yes, you guessed it, neuron count. Well obviously not highly educated, an IQ the size of my shoe size. Well can’t stop laughing. Poor her. Gave me the example of Maggie Thatcher from…30 years ago!!!...err…wake up women, it is the 21st century! Now be a good girl, get a proper education, now I know, difficult if you don’t have enough data storage. Never mind. Life can be so cruel. [laughing face emoji].’ 
   • (b) The comments at allegation 2(a) were posted on the Teacher’s open Facebook page, and as such would have been accessible to parents, pupils, colleagues, and members of the public. 
   • (c) The comments at 2(a) were: 
     
     • (i) abusive; 
     • (ii) offensive; 
     • (iii) inflammatory; and/or 
     • (iv) discriminatory. 
3.  
   
   • (a) On 12 March 2020, whilst employed by Angus Council as a teacher at Lochside Primary School, the Teacher did send a text to Witness A, which contained the words ‘Now, inevitably, me not being able to say anything will change on 31st and rest assured, I will not hesitate to open up and say what I couldn’t as an Angus employee. There will be special mention for the snowflakes that took exception of my Facebook posts and whether they were from school or the education dept. at Orchardbank they will definitinely not be spared and will be named and likely to be shamed as terrorist sympathisers, and why not. I am really looking forward to this in fact. As I said previously, my parting shots will be straight to the point. Sadly, I am not Jesus, I neither forgive nor forget therefore those who have wronged me will bear the brunt of my anger and will not be forgotten.’ 
   • (b) The text at allegation 3(a) was threatening in nature. 
4. On 19 January 2021, the Teacher sent an email to GTC Scotland in response to a newsletter to registrants stating ‘Amazing, after all that time, weeks into second lockdown, (not to mention the first lockdown), the GTC, at least, decide to take their fingers out of their asses and publish something, something that is obviously completely inadequate and irrelevant. Bravo and thank you (not).’ 
5. The Teacher’s actions at allegations 1-4 were lacking in integrity. 

In light of the above, it is alleged that Teacher’s fitness to teach is impaired, and he is unfit to teach as a result of breaching Parts 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.4 and 5.3 of the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s Code of Professionalism and Conduct (COPAC) 2012.

Following an order by a Panel, this hearing will take place virtually, by way of Microsoft Teams.

Should any members of the public or press wish to attend the hearing (virtually), they must contact GTC Scotland by emailing regulation@gtcs.org.uk no less than 48 working hours prior to the start time of the hearing (i.e. by 10.00 am on 25 May 2026) in order to request the link to the public hearing. Any requests to attend the hearing beyond this time cannot be facilitated and will not be responded to. Attendees will require to have the Microsoft Teams application downloaded to their device. You can download Microsoft Teams from the Microsoft website or from the Apple Store on Apple devices, or the Google Play Store on Android devices.

When requesting a link to the public hearing, the following information will require to be provided:

• Your full name
• Date of hearing
• Email address to which we can send the Microsoft Teams link
• Contact number we can reach you on if there are any technical issues during the hearing
• Reason for wishing to observe (for example: press)

Please note that only the person named who has requested access to the hearing, and who has been provided with the link, will be permitted to enter the hearing, unless a substitute attendee has been intimated in advance.

As with hearings held in our office, members of the public and press in attendance are reminded not to interrupt proceedings and it is strictly prohibited for an observer to audio or video record, screen shot, photograph, copy or share our hearing proceedings. Under Rule 1.7.10, a Panel may decide to exclude any person where the Panel is of the opinion that his/her presence is disruptive or otherwise detrimental to proceedings being conducted in line with the general objectives. Furthermore, members of the public and press will not be permitted access to the private discussions of the Panel.

Please read the remote hearing observer guidance on our website.