An Essex teacher has been banned from teaching and working with young people for life after exchanging inappropriate messages with a pupil and paying her to keep his secret.

‍

Enda Feeney, who had worked at Trinity Catholic High School in Woodford Green since 1987, was suspended from his role as a biology teacher on 5 March 2021 after complaints were made about his conduct with the student.

‍

In his interview with the police, Mr Feeney said:

"out of curiosity downloaded [an app] and put some likes on her videos."

“She wanted to know who I was and after some exchange of text happened she asked how old I was and I said 54 and she asked if I wanted to be her sugar daddy and I must have agreed and she said she would send me naughty pictures for £20."

“And I don’t know, I must have been possessed.”

‍

The professional conduct panel heard that Mr Feeney asked the pupil if she would be up for "cuddles and kisses", and also asked the pupil if she was "still a virgin".

‍

The disgraced teacher also asked the student if she would consider "having a fling" with him, and also if she would mind "sending a pic" to him, specifying that it "doesn't have to be naughty."

‍

When the pupil asked Mr Feeney what he would do if they were to meet up in person, he responded:

"I like you so it would be pretty much up to what you wanted”

‍

The pupil then threatened to report Mr Feeney's inappropriate advances to the school unless he paid her £3000 for her silence.

‍

The pair eventually agreed that Feeney would pay her £500, and despite the pupil sending him her bank details, he chose to make the cash exchange in person.

‍

Mr Feeney admitted he chose to pay the pupil to "stop all this nonsense", and also admitted that he was "dishonest" and "lacking integrity".

‍

The professional conduct panel concluded that Feeney had acted in a "sexually motivated manner" and had displayed "conduct that lacked integrity".

‍

‍