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College teacher under investigation for ‘affair’ (From Echo)
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College teacher under investigation for ‘affair’
4:00pm Friday 10th July 2009
A COLLEGE teacher is being investigated over claims by a mother he had an affair with her student daughter.
David Harries teaches sport at Seevic College in Thundersley, but has been suspended since Easter after a complaint was made about the alleged sexual relationship.
Mr Harries is a keen rugby fan who was a player coach at Billericay Rugby Club as well as coaching the team at Seevic.
The allegations against him have been referred to social services which is investigating the claims.
John Driver, vice principal of curriculum, at the college confirmed a member of staff, has been suspended pending an investigation.
He said: “We have followed college procedures in this matter and social services, are now leading the investigation.
“The college is waiting for social services to confirm the results of their findings.”
Seevic College caters for sixth form students aged 16 and over, as well as offering adult education courses.
It does not take students aged under 16.
Essex County Council runs social services and spokeswoman Katie Canning said she could not comment on the investigation while it was ongoing.
She added: “He was in a position of trust and the allegation is one of an abuse of trust so it has been referred to social services.
“We do not know when it is likely to be complete.”
But the parent of the girl, who did not want to be named to protect the identity of her daughter, is angry the matter still has not been resolved.
The parent said: “I understand the investigation is ongoing, but three months seems a little excessive.”
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Your Say YourEcho
marshman, says...
5:06pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Is he a couple of years older than her or old enough to be her father?
It makes a difference.
But hey, when has the echo ever let truth get in the way of a good story.
APR, Thundersley says...
6:42pm Fri 10 Jul 09
marshman wrote:No difference in law. As long as she was at least 16yrs old, she is deemed to be an adult. Immature perhaps, but still an adult.
You don't give his age!
Is he a couple of years older than her or old enough to be her father?
It makes a difference.
But hey, when has the echo ever let truth get in the way of a good story.
What has it got to do with Social Services ?
disgusted of essex, westcliff says...
7:32pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Teachers are not allowed to have relationships with there pupils
evilc, essex says...
10:11pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Perhaps some parents cannot accept that their children are old enough to make their own decisions in life.
It is impossible to be behind them all the time.
As for the sports master he should have been more considerate and kept his snake in it's pit.
perini, Leigh on Sea says...
11:19pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Ello!, This is Southend..... says...
11:51pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Driving Instructor
Lifeguard
Hockey Master
Arcade Attendant
Deckchair Man.
ADSUM, HADLEIGH says...
11:03am Sat 11 Jul 09
Billericay RFC, Billericay says...
11:11am Sat 11 Jul 09
While it is true that Mr Harries was coach at our club he was relieved of his coaching position sixteen months ago in March 2008. We would also like to say that we are trying to start a youth section at the club and have child welfare as our priority. In line with policy all our current coaches are CRB checked and have been members of the club for a number of years.
andyhsufc, Southend says...
12:02pm Sat 11 Jul 09
LocalBoy, Hawkwell says...
7:12pm Sat 11 Jul 09
andyhsufc wrote:Then if my school was anything to go by most of the teachers aged 50+ should be in jail!
It does not matter whether the child was over 16 or not. It is a criminal offence for a teacher to have a relationship with a pupil.
This sort of thing has always happened and always will.
If the girl had been coerced in to the relationship that is clearly wrongdoing.
But if totally voluntary the parents should be talking to their daughter not the authorities.
southender123, says...
8:04pm Sat 11 Jul 09
APR, Thundersley says...
11:10am Mon 13 Jul 09
buspassuser, canvey says...
8:18am Tue 14 Jul 09
Ivanna Goodhump, says...
11:05am Tue 14 Jul 09
It is quite possible that the girl concerned has invented or exaggerated (apologies for spelling!) matters and his career is now ruined irrespective of whether innocent or guilty.
As he has now been named (wrongly) lets name the girl as well just to keep things balanced.
Perhaps some bad publicity for her will encourage her to keep her legs together in future ...
APR, Thundersley says...
12:51pm Tue 14 Jul 09
Yes that does seem rather one sided.
I expect she is far from being an innocent little girl in pigtails.
APR, Thundersley says...
12:51pm Tue 14 Jul 09
Yes that does seem rather one sided.
I expect she is far from being an innocent little girl in pigtails.
APR, Thundersley says...
12:51pm Tue 14 Jul 09
Yes that does seem rather one sided.
I expect she is far from being an innocent little girl in pigtails.
APR, Thundersley says...
12:54pm Tue 14 Jul 09
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Ello!, This is Southend..... says...
4:08pm Fri 10 Jul 09
While we live in this free society, people should just continue to do whatever they want, because we're all going to die and there is no god.