A comprehensive school teacher who lost his job after he was convicted of growing cannabis must wait to learn whether he will be struck off by his regulatory body.
Christian Powell, 38, received a suspended prison sentence for producing a controlled drug in January 2016.
At the time of the offence, in April 2015, Powell was a teacher at Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School.
He had taught at the school – which has since merged with Oakdale Comprehensive to form Islwyn High School – for a decade, and was handed an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years after he admitted the offence at Cardiff Crown Court.
He was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community work.
A fitness to practise hearing of the Education Workforce Council (EWC) last month found he had breached teaching guidelines.
The hearing was told that Powell was arrested for “cultivating a class B drug” with officers finding 24 cannabis plants and £1,000 in Sterling, Euros and US Dollars.
Police found messages that suggested the cannabis being grown was destined to be sold.
Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School found Powell’s actions to represent gross misconduct.
Cadi Dewi, who was presenting the case to the EWC committee, said: “The issue appears to be an intention to sell cannabis, that was to be produced all being well, to others.
“It is a serious offence. An offence related to drugs is particularly significant with the age that Mr Powell was teaching.”
The first allegation put to the former teacher read that “on December 14, 2015, you were convicted of producing a (class B) controlled drug, contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
“As a consequence of this offence, on January 26, 2016, you were sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for 24 months and directed to carry out unpaid work of 120 hours before January 25, 2017.”
The second allegation read “the facts of paragraph one constitute ‘a relevant offence’ meaning ‘a conviction in the United Kingdom for a criminal offence, other than one having no material relevance to a person’s fitness to be a registered person in the relevant category of registration’.”
Powell was not present at the hearing, and the panel was told by his father, who is representing him, that he had no intention of returning to teaching.
Mr David Powell told the hearing his son accepted the first allegation, but refuted the second, querying the use of the term “relevant”.
Chair of the committee, Steve Powell, said Christian Powell’s actions “breached those expected of a teacher”.
The chairman said of the second allegation that despite it not specifically relating to conduct in the school environment, Powell had been “expected to uphold public confidence” while in his role as a teacher at Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School.
A decision on whether Powell will be struck off will be made at a later date.
Would you want this person teaching your child ?
Teachers like others with similar roles in public service should set good examples for our children – this person was clearly not setting a good example.