Banned Paedophile Teacher Applied for Tutoring Job

A banned paedophile teacher applied for a job tutoring teenagers and young adults.

Richard Swinnerton, 36, of Staithes Court, Hartlepool, denied an offence under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, but was convicted following a trial at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Monday, 3rd November 2025.

It is an offence under section 7(1)(a) of the Act for a person to seek to engage in a regulated activity from which they are barred. The maximum sentence is 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 5 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction in indictment.

Swinnerton, previously the deputy headteacher of a Middlesbrough primary school, was convicted of three offences of possession of indecent images of children at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday, 14th September 2020. He was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order on that day.

As a result of those convictions he was made subject to an interim prohibition order, banning him from the classroom. 

A Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel later recommended a full prohibition order, which prevents Swinnerton from working in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England. Reflective of the severity of Swinnerton's crimes, the order was granted for an indefinite period of time. He was told that his teacher registration would never be restored.

On Friday, 18th July 2025, despite being banned from the teaching profession, Swinnerton applied for a job as an English tutor with Hartlepool-based training provider Learning Curve Group. Reassuringly, checks during the application process revealed the 36-year-old's horrific criminal past.

It also transpires that Swinnerton has twice breached his sexual harm prevention order, receiving suspended sentence orders on each occasion. On paper, even if not in practice, Swinnerton is clearly quite an intelligent man - which suggests a deliberate disregard for the orders of the court.

Given the circumstances, District Judge Steven Hood was of the view that his sentencing powers were insufficient.

The matter was sent to Teesside Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

Swinnerton has expended all of his chances now. He can fully expect to go to prison.

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