A TEACHER has been found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct after he arrived at a Canvey school while under the influence of alcohol.

John Brown, who joined Castle View School in 2006 as a design and technology teacher, was investigated by the General Teaching Council over allegations that once in February 2008 and twice in March 2009 he was under the influence while at school.

Russell Sullivan, who was headteacher at the time, raised concerns about Mr Brown’s behaviour and said he smelt of alcohol when he was at the school.

On the second occasion, in March 2009, Mr Sullivan said he was acting in an irrational way and in the last incident later that month, two members of staff had to drive Mr Brown home because Mr Sullivan said he “was plainly in no fit state to drive himself”.

Mr Brown said he had been a heavy drinker for a number of years and a union representative said on the last occasion Mr Brown had drunk a bottle of vodka and a bottle of wine overnight and into the early hours of the morning.

A Castle View School spokesman said: “We can confirm Mr Brown used to be employed at Castle View School.

“Mr Brown ceased to be employed at Castle View in 2009. There has also been a change of headteacher since the incident happened.”

The committee said Mr Brown came to teaching late, having worked in the printing industry for many years.

It also acknowledged Mr Brown had good relationships with all his colleagues and pupils.

Mr Sullivan said he considered him to be an exemplary colleague and he had a 100 per cent attendance record and was never late for work.

The committee imposed a conditional registration order, which means Mr Brown has to tell any employer about the order before working for them as a teacher and he must give medical evidence from his GP to the General Teaching Council for England of his fitness to teach with reference to continued abstinence from alcohol.