A MUSIC teacher struck off for voyeurism claimed he was suffering a nervous breakdown when he filmed a woman in the shower.
Timothy Pooley, of Maldon Road, Witham, has been banned from teaching indefinitely after being convicted of voyeurism at Colchester Magistrates' Court last year.
The 51-year-old admitted secretly filming a woman as she showered and in various stages of undress, and was made to sign the sex offenders' register for five years.
At a Teaching Misconduct Panel, it was heard Pooley had been suffering from stress related to two deaths in the family and the illness of another relative, as well as suffering a stroke.
He claimed he had had a nervous breakdown when the incident took place.
The panel, with met last month, found the teacher's actions seemed to be out of character.
A section of the 11-page ruling by the panel read: "The panel has had regard to the numerous character statements in the bundle of documents which indicate Mr Pooley is a decent and honest man, who has shown insight and remorse."
However, it was deemed Pooley's behaviour was inappropriate for a teacher, particularly because it involved sexual misconduct, and could bring the profession into disrepute if he was allowed to continue in his role, which involved various music college visits as well as home tuition.
Despite ruling Pooley would be barred from teaching, and not permitted to appeal against the ban for a period of five years, the panel said he did not pose a significant risk to the protection of pupils.
The panel's report stated: "The misconduct was relatively unsophisticated and did not involve children.
"The panel does consider Pooley's behaviour amounts to an improper standard of conduct. However, it was at the lower end of the scale and does not amount to serious sexual misconduct.
"He regrets his actions, which he has admitted and reported to the leadership figures of his local church.
"It is suggested in the mitigation evidence he was frank and contrite in his admission of guilt, that he usually practised high moral standards and that his former and current pupils and music colleagues felt safe and at ease in his presence."
Pooley, a former church trustee at Bethel Christian Fellowship, which meets at Maltings Academy, in Spinks Lane, Witham, was not present at the hearing.
