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A science teacher who had sex with a vulnerable former pupil has been banned from the profession for life.

David Bell cuddled and touched the teenager's leg before asking "which member of staff would you most like to sleep with?"

He later sent explicit messages to her and pleaded with her to keep their relationship secret.

Bell, who taught at Bedlington Academy in Northumberland, has now been banned from teaching for life by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

The report said Bell had sex with the girl, who the panel described as vulnerable, after meeting her in The Electrical Wizard, in Morpeth, last September.

"Upon leaving the venue, at a time when (the girl) was very intoxicated, Mr Bell pulled her against a wall, kissed her, touched her bottom and put his hands down her jeans," the report said.

Later in the evening Bell invited the teenager to his home via Facetime.

The report said: "(She) attended his house and she and Mr Bell then had sexual intercourse on several occasions."

Bell told school bosses he had met the group by "chance", and had only stayed with them for an hour before going home having not bought them a drink.

But the report said Bell contacted the teenager that day.

"(He) told her to delete all their messages and what to say if she was asked by the school about what had happened," states the report.

Two months later, Bell started sending explicit messages to the teenager who was now at university.

The girl then reported him to school officials and he resigned from his job the following day.

Bell admitted a string of allegations including kissing and having sex with the girl.

The report states Bell cited unspecified personal circumstances and health issues as factors behind his actions.

References were also supplied on his behalf.

The TRA panel said: "Mr Bell deliberately gave the school a false account of what had occurred.

"The motivation for this conduct was to seek to avoid any potential consequences for his actions of that night

"The panel considered that this deception was lacking in integrity in that by not telling the truth Mr Bell did not meet the high standards required of a member of the teaching profession."

A spokesman from Bedlington Academy's sponsor, The North East Learning Trust, said it received correspondence from the TRA to confirm that Bell was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct which may bring the teaching profession into disrepute.

"In this particular case, Mr Bell resigned immediately after the allegations were raised against him, before any disciplinary process could be initiated by the trust," added the spokesperson.

"In line with statutory guidance, the trust made the necessary referrals to both DBS and the TRA, irrespective of his resignation. The trust acknowledges the decision and findings of the TRA.

"The trust takes its responsibilities towards safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children extremely seriously.

"Professional conduct concerns and safeguarding allegations within the trust are rare.

"Where allegations or concerns do arise, the trust works closely with the relevant agencies and authorities to ensure any allegation is properly investigated and formal action is taken, where appropriate, against any member of staff who falls below the required standard."

Bell can appeal the decision.