Former principal censured over 'fixation' conviction

Former Dargaville High School Principal David Bargh has been censured, but allowed to continue teaching.PHOTO/FILE

Former Dargaville High School Principal David Bargh has been censured by a disciplinary tribunal after he became fixated with one of his teachers and was convicted for lurking, loitering or peeping near her home.

Last April Bargh was convicted of unlawfully being in an enclosed yard and fined $1000 with court costs of $130.

He was also convicted on three charges of lurking, loitering or peeping near a dwelling and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. He had pleaded guilty to the charges, which related to a female teacher at his school.

The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured Bargh for the conviction and his actions, but ruled he can continue to teach, with conditions imposed on his practising certificate.

In its decision the tribunal found that Bargh's behaviour and convictions amounted to serious misconduct.

Bargh's conduct over an almost four-month period was "evidence of a significant deterioration in his mental health, and in particular was a manifestation of his obsessive compulsive disorder, which he managed without significant event for many years", the decision said.

"In short, he became fixated with one of his teachers, and took to spending time on her property. When questioned by the police, it became apparent that the respondent was somewhat confused, and he was therefore assessed by the mental health team.

"There was no malicious or menacing intent, and in particular there was no sexual motivation. That said, clearly his conduct was illegal and the district court heard that the victim had suffered psychological injuries that were described as clearly long-lasting."

At Bargh's sentencing in Whangarei District Court, the teacher at the centre of the case described lying awake at night, fearing someone was trying to break in and harm her.

Bargh was spotted on the woman's property twice at night before being caught and arrested a third time after a neighbour had set up a CCTV camera and confronted him.

His lawyer told the court Bargh suffered depression and untreated obsessive compulsive behaviour that had spiralled out to the point where his "paternal and caring" checking on the teacher had become compulsive and obsessive, and had made him unhappy.

As well as the censure the tribunal ordered that Bargh has to advise current or future employers of his condition and its appropriate management and continuing to work with his GP to address the medical issues that "gave rise to the events".

The conditions were to last for two years. The finding of serious misconduct will also be put on the teachers' register.