A FORMER Basingstoke teacher has been banned after committing a number of sexual offences against children.

Julius Edwards was a science teacher at Dove House School from June 2019 until May 2020 when he was suspended.

In June 2021, Edwards was convicted of 12 counts of sexual activity with a child, assault by penetration, three counts of attempted penetrative sexual activity with a child; and two counts of failure to comply with a notice to provide a key.

He was jailed for 14 years with an extended license period of four years and he was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

During the sentencing, Edwards was described as a “predatory paedophile”. None of the offences related to pupils at Dove House School.

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Earlier in May, Edwards went before a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). It was decided that Edwards is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Edwards, in relation to the facts it found proved, involved breaches of the Teachers’ Standards.

A report into the hearing, published on Tuesday, May 23, said: “The panel felt that there was a significant element of grooming surrounding these offences. It was even more concerning that some of the victims had additional vulnerabilities.

“Of further concern was the attempts by Mr Edwards to frustrate the investigation and not co-operate with the police.”

The panel noted that his actions were relevant to teaching, working with children and working in an education setting.

It continued: “The panel noted that the behaviour involved in committing the offence could have had an impact on the safety and/or security of pupils and/or members of the public.”

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When deciding whether Edwards should be banned from teaching, the panel said there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Edwards was “acting under extreme duress, and, in fact, the panel found Mr Edwards' actions to be calculated and motivated”.

The report by Alan Meyrick said: “In my judgement, the lack of insight and remorse means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils and children. I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision.”

The panel also heard that Edwards was convicted of burglary in January 1989, drink driving in August 2003 and driving whilst disqualified and uninsured in May 2004.

It was decided that Edwards would not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.

He has 28 days to appeal the order.