A primary school teacher who was acquitted of sexually assaulting five boys has been banned from teaching indefinitely. Brendan O'Brien, 47, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was found guilty of unacceptable conduct by a professional conduct panel.
O'Brien was cleared of 18 charges, including 17 of sexual assault and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, at Leeds Crown Court in 2015. However, the National College for Teaching panel, acting for the Secretary of State for Education, ruled that his behaviour was inappropriate and could bring the profession into disrepute.
The allegations against O'Brien included showing favouritism to pupils by touching them inappropriately, with some behaviour deemed sexually motivated. In his defence, O'Brien stated: 'I have always stated that I was a tactile teacher and freely admit that I would put my hand on the knee of pupils in a variety of contexts.'
The panel's decision means O'Brien is now barred from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children's home in England. He did not attend the hearing.
