Woman teacher on sex crime charge

Merchant Taylors' is one of the leading private schools in north west England

A teacher at a top Merseyside private school has been charged with abusing her position of trust.

Hannah McIntyre, 24, was suspended from her position at Merchant Taylors' Boys' School in Crosby in January after allegations of sexual misconduct.

The alleged incident involved sixth form students off the school site.

Miss McIntyre has been charged under section 16 of the Sexual Offences Act and is due to appear at South Sefton Magistrates' Court on 28 July.

The classics teacher, who took up a position at the £2,727-a-term school in September 2007, was arrested and bailed in January.

The school will continue to co-operate fully with the appropriate agencies David Cook, head teacher

The misconduct was alleged to have occurred more than a year ago outside school hours.

Although sixth form pupils are above the age of consent, it is against the law to have a sexual encounter with someone under 18 if there is a relationship of trust.

David Cook, head teacher, said: "Merchant Taylors' Boys' School can confirm that a member of its senior school teaching staff has been charged by Merseyside Police.

"This relates to an incident of alleged misconduct which took place some 18 months ago away from the school site and outside school hours, involving sixth-form students.

"As this is now a matter for the courts, the school cannot comment further.

"The school will continue to co-operate fully with the appropriate agencies, as our first priority remains the safeguarding of all our students."

Merchant Taylors' enjoyed a 100% GCSE pass rate last year and counts former Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie among its former pupils.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version