A FORMER Worcester teacher who was spared jail has been banned from the profession after he sent sex chats to two decoys acting as 14-year-old girls.

James Ndungu, a former Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic High College teacher, has been banned indefinitely, a Teaching Misconduct Panel ruled this month.

The 47-year-old father and churchgoer admitted to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child - both decoys - and arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

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The two 'decoy' children were in fact a vigilante group called Justice4Kids, whose mission is to protect children from online predators.

Sarah Buxcey, decision maker on the Teaching Misconduct Panel, said: "In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession.

"A published decision, in light of the circumstances in this case, that is not backed up by full insight, does not, in my view, satisfy the public interest requirement concerning public confidence in the profession.

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"For these reasons, I have concluded that a prohibition order is proportionate and in the public interest."

In 2021, Worcester Crown Court heard how Ndungu wanted to meet the girls for ‘kisses and cuddles’.

Ndungu, of Hillside Close, Worcester, resigned his post at the school in Timberdine Avenue shortly after the allegations came to light.

He had no previous convictions and had started working as a teacher in 2005 and was based at the same school for 15 years.

Despite avoiding jail, Ndungu had to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

A ten-year sexual harm prevention order was also made to restrict the defendant's internet use, including contacting children under 16 and installing encryption or wiping software.

He also had to sign the Sex Offender Register for ten years.

Aftet the case, headteacher Greg McClarey said safeguarding was taken extremely seriously at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic High College.

“We are deeply appalled and dismayed by the behaviour of a former member of staff,” he said.

“We took immediate action when the school was alerted that a police investigation was underway concerning Mr Ndungu, implementing our safeguarding procedures and working closely with the police and the local authority."