A MAN told the Llandudno school he was employed by that he was absent because he was unwell, when he was in fact appearing in court.

David Sweet, who taught at Ysgol John Bright, was handed a reprimand by the Education Workforce Council’s fitness to practise committee, after allegations of unacceptable professional conduct were found proven.

Last week’s two-day hearing was told that Mr Sweet was convicted of threatening behaviour on June 18, 2018, in relation to an incident on March 25, 2018 – he was consequently fined £225.

But he told Ysgol John Bright that his absence that day was due to illness, rather than because he was attending court as a defendant.

Mr Sweet also did not disclose to the school that he had received the criminal conviction.

He was convicted again on June 30, 2022; this time of drink-driving on June 1, 2022 – this landed him a two-year ban from the roads and a £1,071 fine.

In imposing the reprimand, the committee found that Mr Sweet’s conduct was “dishonest” and “lacked integrity”.

Mr Sweet will still be able to work in schools for the two-year period that the reprimand is in effect.

He has the right to appeal the decision to the court within 28 days.