A teacher has been banned from the profession after being convicted of rape, which a judge described as "out of character". David Derrick, 43, from Warmley, Gloucestershire, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to two years and nine months in jail and was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely in January last year.
Conviction and sentencing
Derrick, who taught at an Olympus Academy Trust school in Winterbourne, denied one count of rape, claiming he believed the victim was consenting. The jury heard that intercourse took place for "just a few seconds". Despite the court hearing that his actions had a "devastating" impact on the victim, he received a more lenient than usual jail sentence.
The victim said in a statement that they were left "isolated, silenced and degraded", as reported by B24/7.
Professional conduct panel findings
A Professional conduct panel meeting outcome has now been published. The panel stated: "The panel did not consider that Mr Derrick demonstrated exceptionally high standards in his personal and professional conduct nor did it consider it evidenced that he had contributed significantly to the education sector."
The panel found "some limited evidence of insight" on Derrick's part, reflected in references within the judge's sentencing remarks and Derrick's written statement. It noted that the judge was satisfied that Derrick's behaviour was out of character, but the panel did not have enough evidence to form an opinion on that matter.
While not seeking to go behind the facts of the conviction, the panel noted Derrick's continued assertion that he had sincerely believed the individual consented, but also noted that he had been convicted and that such a belief was found to be unreasonable.
Lack of remorse and ban
The panel considered it had only limited evidence of Derrick's remorse for the impact of his actions upon the victim, others, the school, and the profession. It also noted that Derrick continued to describe his actions as an 'error of judgement', which the panel considered suggested a lack of substantive genuine insight into his decisions and their impact.
Derrick is now prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children's home in England.
