Stafford teacher jailed for having sex with schoolgirl banned from profession

A Stafford school teacher who had sex with a pupil and pretended to be a teenage boy on Snapchat to befriend young girls has been banned from the classroom.

Alexander Webb was jailed at Stafford Crown Court for five years and seven months in February last year for admitting a six-month relationship with the female pupil, engaging in sexual communication and making indecent images.

He has now been banned from teaching by The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel which heard that 39,400 messages were found relating to the girl. About 5,000 Snapchat contacts were also recovered which included pupils from the school.

The matter came to light following a safeguarding referral in May 2021 alleging that Webb was involved in a sexual relationship with a pupil at his Stafford school.

A subsequent court case heard he also set up a Snapchat account to engage in sexualised conversations with teenage girls while pretending to be a boy.

Webb, who was said to be “remorseful” over his crimes pleaded guilty on December 5, 2024 to six counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of sexual communication with a child and five counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

The panel report stated that a recommended lifetime ban with no review was "proportionate" and concluded Webb, who did not attend the hearing, demonstrated a complete disregard for the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils.

The report further stated: “Webb’s actions were relevant to teaching, working with children and working in an education setting, particularly as the police report set out that the allegations involved a sexual relationship with a pupil at the School and also the original communications with the pupil were carried out via their School email accounts. The panel noted that the behaviour involved in committing the offence could have had an impact on the safety and or security of pupils and or members of the public.

“The panel also took account of the way the teaching profession is viewed by others. The panel noted that the behaviour exhibited by Webb would be regarded as wholly unacceptable by members of the public. Not only did his behaviour fall significantly shorty of the standards expected of a teacher, but he was also in a position of trust and fundamentally breached that trust.

“Therefore, the panel considered that his behaviour in committing the offences could affect public confidence in the teaching profession, particularly given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community. The panel noted that Webb’s behaviour ultimately led to a sentence of imprisonment, which was indicative of the seriousness of the offences committed.”

Webb has been banned from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England and cannot apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach. He has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days from June 3.