Winz fraudster to keep job

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A teacher who was sentenced to six months' home detention after illegally claiming nearly $50,000 from Winz has been allowed to remain in the profession.

The mother of three, whose identity has been suppressed, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of fraudulently obtaining thousands of dollars in benefits while she was employed at an early childhood centre.

The Samoan mother-of-three admitted that she failed to notify Winz for six years after finding work as a pre-school teacher.

A Teachers' Council judgment found that the woman was unlikely to reoffend and should be allowed to continue teaching after completing her sentence.

Disciplinary tribunal chairman Kenneth Johnston said: "The tribunal is quite satisfied that the respondent has a clear understanding of the seriousness of her actions and that they were both unlawful and inconsistent with her obligations as a teacher, and equally satisfied that she is deeply remorseful, and that there is no realistic prospect of her reoffending in this way."

Johnston said that the woman's employer, the director of the early childhood centre, was in support of her being allowed to remain as a teacher.

She is to repay the $47,500 she claimed at a rate of $60 per week. In a statement to the tribunal, the woman wrote: "I have accepted my sentence and I will never bring such shame on myself and my family again."

Meanwhile, a teacher who was convicted of abusing intellectually handicapped children has been deregistered.

The man was convicted on seven indecency and assault charges earlier this year after walking into a police station to confess.

According to the Teachers' Council judgment, the man admitted slapping IHC clients on the back of their heads, pulling ear lobes, and having contact with a client's genitals.

He was sentenced to four months' community detention, 200 hours of community work and 12-months' supervision after a court hearing.

The judge, noted the council, said the teacher had abused a position of trust and caused "considerable pain and suffering" to the victims and their families.

The man, who was married with children, had his identity suppressed.

The council ruled deregistration was the only option. However, he would be able to apply for re-registration.

IHC spokeswoman Tracey Ramsay said deregistration was "extremely appropriate given what this person was convicted for".

rachel.grunwell@hos.co.nz