A teaching assistant from a Swansea primary school has been found guilty of driving under the influence of a dangerous cocktail of substances, including cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol, less than two hours after clocking off from her shift.
Roadside Stop Reveals Substance Cocktail
Jessica Picton, a level two teaching assistant at Clase Primary School, was stopped by police at 4.45pm on December 11, 2023. Officers were alerted by a potent smell of cannabis emanating from her vehicle. The stop occurred just one hour and 35 minutes after she had left the school premises at her usual finishing time of 3.10pm.
Subsequent roadside tests revealed the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis in her system. Picton was immediately arrested and later charged. She pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of controlled drugs and alcohol on June 14, 2024.
Professional Fallout and Dishonesty Allegations
Magistrates handed down a significant penalty, including a 17-month driving ban, a curfew enforced by an electronic tag, a community order, and a requirement to complete rehabilitation activities.
The case then came before the Education Workforce Council (EWC) Wales fitness to practise committee. The hearing, held remotely on December 16, 2025, heard that Picton had failed to notify the school of her arrest until she was questioned by the then-headteacher, Sharon Hope, three days later.
Mrs Hope, who has since left the school, testified that when she confronted Picton, the teaching assistant was evasive. Picton initially suggested the cannabis smell was due to her brother smoking in the car. When asked directly if she had taken cocaine, Picton replied, "not knowingly".
"There was a lack of transparency. I reminded her this was her opportunity to give me an honest account," Mrs Hope told the committee. She expressed deep concern that, given the narrow window between work and the arrest, it was possible Picton had been under the influence while at school.
Committee's Findings and Awaiting Sanction
The EWC committee found the allegations proved. They concluded that Picton:
- Was convicted of offences relevant to her registration.
- Failed in her duty to promptly inform her employer of the arrest.
- Provided misleading and/or false information to the headteacher.
- Acted dishonestly, lacked integrity, and her conduct amounted to unacceptable professional behaviour.
The committee noted that Picton, who started at the school in 2012 and was described as hard-working and kind to the vulnerable additional learning needs (ALN) children she supported, had no prior concerns against her.
As Picton did not attend the hearing and was not represented, the allegations were treated as denied. The committee has retired to consider what sanction, if any, to impose on her registration to work in education. The hearing is ongoing.
