Teacher Receives Indefinite Ban After Inappropriate Emails to Pupil
A former teacher from Derbyshire has been indefinitely prohibited from the classroom after being convicted of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Louise Greaves, 43, was sentenced after the mother of a male student discovered a series of inappropriate emails and reported them to the authorities.
The Offence and Court Sentencing
Greaves, who worked at Springwell Community College from April 2016 until August 2023, sent the emails between November 30 and December 12, 2022. She pleaded guilty to the offence on July 13 last year at court.
The court handed down a significant sentence, which included:
- Being placed on the sex offenders register for five years.
- A five-year restraining order against her in relation to the victim, lasting until June 12, 2029.
- Non-residential alcohol treatment for 30 days.
- Mental health treatment for 12 months.
- A rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days.
- A £100 fine, plus costs of £375 and a victim surcharge of £114.
Greaves's Defence and Panel Decision
In a written statement to a professional conduct panel, Greaves claimed she only pleaded guilty as a 'deal' to avoid a prison sentence. She stated her barrister advised her the judge would convict her if she went to trial.
"I had no choice, I didn’t want to risk this and therefore took the ‘deal’ which I didn’t want to as I am not what they are labelling me as," she wrote. Greaves described her actions as a "massive, silly mistake" and insisted she was a "good person" who had no intentions towards the pupil, claiming she was merely trying to send him extra work.
However, the panel, led by decision maker Sarah Buxcey, took a firm stance. Mrs Greaves is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot work in any school, sixth form college, or children's home in England. In a decisive move, the panel also ruled that she shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.
This order took effect immediately, though Greaves retains the right to appeal to the High Court within 28 days.
