Supply teacher in Southampton banned after drug driving convictions
Ben Hough was twice caught breaking the law in 2020
A teacher has been banned from working in schools and colleges after being convicted of drug driving on two separate occasions.
Ben Hough’s conduct was described as a “sustained pattern of behaviour which is underpinned by a problematic relationship with drugs and alcohol”.
Mr Hough was working as a supply teacher through the Southampton arm of recruitment agency Time Plan Education Group Limited at the of the drug-related misconduct.
The 41-year-old was made subject to a prohibition order by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), which indefinitely bans him from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation of children’s home in England.
The order came after a professional conduct panel of the TRA convened earlier this month.
The panel heard Mr Hough was convicted of two counts of drug driving at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on November 5, 2020, in relation to an incident on February 29, 2020, and a further two counts of drug driving at the same court on April 26, 2021, in relation to an incident on August 14, 2020.
He had also been convicted of drink driving on February 25, 2008, over an incident the previous month.
The panel found an allegation proved that Mr Hough had consumed cocaine on or around June 20, 2020.
In relation to this matter, a witness, who gave oral evidence to the panel, said Mr Hough had “reluctantly informed him” that he had taken one gram of cocaine.
The witness said they saw drug paraphernalia including a ‘melting spoon’ and IV needles at the supply teacher’s home address.
A report on the outcome of the panel said: “Witness A explained that whilst in the redacted, Mr Hough claimed that he would continue to use cocaine.”
The witness said they made a safeguarding referral pertaining to Mr Hough as they were concerned that the role of a teacher placed him in a position of trust.
Time Plan Education placed Mr Hough as a PE teacher and, or, supply teacher at a number of schools between March and September 2020.
The TRA report said: “In the light of the panel’s findings against Mr Hough which included that he had driven a vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs, there was a strong public interest consideration in the protection of members of the public (including pupils).
“Similarly, the panel considered that public confidence in the profession could be seriously weakened if conduct such as that found against Mr Hough were not treated with the utmost seriousness when regulating the conduct of the profession.
“The panel was of the view that a strong public interest consideration in declaring proper standards of conduct in the profession was also present as the conduct found against Mr Hough was outside that which could reasonably be tolerated.”
Mr Hough had not engaged with the TRA proceedings, he was not present for the panel hearing and he was not represented.
He will be entitled to apply for a review of the prohibition order after seven years.