STOCKTON-ON-TEES (UNITED KINGDOM)
Daily Record [Glasgow, Scotland]
April 29, 2026
By Poppy Kennedy and Annette Belcher
Assistant head Harriet Brown was in an inappropriate relationship with a convicted child sex offender, who she visited fortnightly in prison
A primary teacher from Stockton has been banned from the profession for life after having a relationship with a child sex offender. When the school, at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, in Stockton, became aware of the inappropriate relationship, Harriet Brown was suspended and dismissed following an investigation.
The former assistant head made “regular fortnightly visits and daily phone calls” to the man, who had been jailed for sex offences involving a child under the age of 13. Now a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel has prohibited the 31-year-old from teaching indefinitely following a hearing in February.
Documents, published by the agency, reveal how Miss Brown had initially disclosed that she had ended her relationship with the man after her boyfriend was arrested and charged. But, two months after the break up, the pair re-established regular contact, which continued after he was found guilty at trial for sexual offences against children under the age of 13 in February 2020, TeessideLive reports.
From July 2020 to October 2023, Miss Brown regularly visited the convicted sex offender at HMP Northumberland but never disclosed their relationship to the school, where she was appointed a designated safeguarding lead. Her dishonesty came to light after a probation officer visiting the convicted sex offender’s parents’ home spoke with Miss Brown. She initially denied but then admitted her relationship with him.
The probation officer recorded that Miss Brown, who was a special educational needs and disability coordinator, had not disclosed this to the school. The next day, during October half-term 2023, the probation officer referred the matter to the local authority designated officer and contacted another witness.
When the school became aware, Miss Brown was immediately asked to stay home pending an investigation, the panel heard. Following a formal process, Miss Brown was dismissed from the school in February 2024 and a referral was made to the TRA and Disclosure and Barring Service.