Former Liverpool teacher banned for engaging with child

A former teacher in Liverpool has been banned from teaching for life after trying to engage in sexual communication with a child. Alan Harbottle, aged 52, worked at Mosspits Primary School for 12 years before his arrest in May 2023. His conviction resulted from a police sting operation in which officers posed as a 14-year-old boy. Harbottle was found guilty of attempting to communicate sexually with the fake minor and planning to meet him. He admitted to sending sexualized images and discussing inappropriate acts online. Following a court hearing, Harbottle received a suspended prison sentence and was ordered to complete a sexual offender program. He was also given a sexual harm prevention order lasting ten years. The judge noted that Harbottle was aware his actions were wrong but continued anyway. Despite showing some remorse and the potential for rehabilitation, the Teacher Regulation Agency decided to impose a lifetime teaching ban due to the severity of his actions. Harbottle is now forbidden from working with children in any educational settings in England and cannot seek to have this ban lifted.