Teacher spared jail for supplying cocaine as part of a crime ring is banned from the classroom for three years
- Stephanie Szymanska was arrested after selling drugs to undercover officers
A teacher who was spared jail for supplying cocaine as part of a crime ring has been banned from the classroom for three years.
Stephanie Szymanska was arrested after she was caught selling the Class A drug to undercover police officers in a pub in Essex.
The 36-year-old was convicted as part of Essex Police's Operation Monaco which targeted individuals in Colchester.
At the time of her arrest Szymanska was teaching at Colchester Sixth Form College but resigned and the matter was referred to teaching watchdogs.
The police began their investigation after a spike in violent crime was linked to two local pubs in the sleepy town.
Stephanie Szymanska, 36, was a teacher at Colchester Sixth Form College (pictured) when she was arrested for selling cocaine to undercover police officers
The operation led by Essex Police tracked the drug gang's activities to the Royal Mortar pub in Colchester (pictured)
The teacher was also selling drugs in the local pub the Leather Bottle (pictured)
Essex Police investigated drug dealing in Colchester between June and December last year and as part of their investigations, went undercover in the Leather Bottle pub, Shrub End Road, Colchester, and the Royal Mortar, in Military Road.
Covert officers acquainted themselves with drug dealers operating within the venues to build their case and officers snared unsuspecting with crooks who were selling the dangerous drugs.
Following the arrest of the former teacher, Szymanska of Wimpole Road, Colchester, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, after she admitted supplying cocaine.
In December 2021, Ms Szymanska resigned from her role at the College. The matter was referred to teaching watchdogs on 14 January 2022.
On 16 May 2022, Ms Szymanska was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court to a custodial sentence of 15 months, suspended for 24 months; an unpaid work requirement of 80 hours; a rehabilitation activity requirement; and a victim surcharge of £156.
He continued: 'The panel recognised that the offence had taken place outside of the school setting and school hours and had not involved pupils or other members of staff at the College.
'However, the panel considered that Ms Szymanska's actions were relevant to teaching, working with children and/or working in an education setting. The panel noted that there was a lack of evidence in the bundle as to the impact of Ms Szymanska's conduct on her ability to teach.
'The panel did however feel that being involved with drugs, especially class A drugs, and being subject to a criminal conviction would reduce the confidence parents and the community have in the teaching profession, and set a bad example to students, especially as teachers are seen to be role models.
'The panel noted that the behaviour involved in committing the offence could have had an impact on the safety or security of pupils and/or members of the public, particularly given that the offence involved the supply of class A drugs.
'The panel also took account of the way the teaching profession is viewed by others. The panel considered that Ms Szymanska's behaviour in committing the offence could undoubtedly affect public confidence in the teaching profession, particularly given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community. Her conduct ran counter to what should have been at the very core of her practice as a teacher.'
Ms Szymanska said in a written statement to the panel that she has completed all unpaid work and fully engaged with the probation service.
'Ms Szymanska stated that the event has sent shockwaves throughout her family and is very much considered to be out of character. Ms Szymanska submitted that she has never been in trouble with the police before and that the whole experience was very traumatic,' the panel was told.
Banning her from teaching, Sarah Buxcey, for the Education Secretary, said: ' In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession.'
She may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until 2027, 3 years from the date of this order at the earliest. This is not an automatic right to have the prohibition order removed. If she does apply, a panel will meet to consider whether the prohibition order should be set aside. Without a successful application, Ms Szymanska remains prohibited from teaching indefinitely.
Ms Buxcey added: 'The panel has also said 'if Ms Szymanska continued to acknowledge her mistakes and took appropriate steps to prevent these actions reoccurring in the future, there may be a time when she would be able to positively contribute again to the teaching profession.'
