A TEACHER has been suspended for six months - for serious misconduct.

A hearing of the professional conduct committee of the General Teaching Council found David Freeney's actions brought the reputation and standing of his profession into disrepute - misconduct too serious to be dealt with by a reprimand.

Mr Freeney, who resigned from Bydales School, Marske, east Cleveland, in January 2006 - the month after he was suspended, was found by the committee to have made demeaning "crude and explicit sexual" remarks to pupils, thrown a chair in a classroom, and been insulting and aggressive to fellow teachers.

A statement from the committee said: "We have also given careful consideration to the matters advanced in mitigation by Mr Freeney in his written statement for these proceedings and his email of January 14, 2008.

"We accept that his actions on the day were out of character and were a one-off event in the sense that they all occurred on the same day. It is also clear to us that he was in an untypical state of mind and that he "flipped" in response to personal, emotional pressures.

"We further note that although he has not made admissions he has apologised "to the members of Bydales School who tried to help him through a very difficult time".

Tony Hobbs, head teacher at Bydales said today: "It has been a difficult time for the school and we are please that the matter has come to a conclusion.

"We are satisfied with the GTC verdict which supports and acknowledges our own action in suspending Mr Freeney.'' Mr Freeney was not present or represented at the hearing which he asked to be heard in private and away from the glare of publicity. He could not be contacted for comment.