Former Reality TV Star Turned Teacher Convicted of Theft Involving Students
Reality TV star who became a teacher after appearing on TOWIE 'stalked' pupil, 16, then recruited another student and dinner lady to steal her phone, court hears
Image: Mail Online
Lewis Hepworth, a 29-year-old former reality TV star and teacher from Barnet, was convicted of theft after orchestrating a plan to steal a phone from a 16-year-old pupil. Following his dismissal for allegedly stalking the student, he enlisted another student and a dinner lady to assist in the theft, which was uncovered through school CCTV.
- 01Lewis Hepworth was previously a reality TV star on ITV's The Only Way Is Essex and Channel Four's Coach Trip.
- 02He was dismissed from a Harrow school after being arrested for allegedly stalking a 16-year-old pupil, although the stalking charge was later dropped.
- 03Hepworth's theft plan involved a student stealing the phone from a box and a dinner lady retrieving it from a hedge.
- 04The prosecution argued that Hepworth abused his position of trust as a teacher by involving students in the crime.
- 05He was convicted of theft and is currently on bail with an electronic GPS tag, pending sentencing.
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Lewis Hepworth, a 29-year-old former reality TV star who appeared on ITV's The Only Way Is Essex and Channel Four's Coach Trip, was convicted of theft in a case that has shocked the educational community. After being dismissed from a school in Harrow due to allegations of stalking a 16-year-old pupil, Hepworth devised a plan to steal the pupil's phone. He enlisted the help of another student and a dinner lady to execute the theft, which involved the student taking the phone from a designated box and the dinner lady retrieving it from a hedge. The scheme was uncovered when the pupil noticed the phone was missing, leading to a review of CCTV footage. Prosecutors emphasized that Hepworth abused his position of trust as a teacher by involving minors in his criminal activities. During the court proceedings, the judge indicated that all sentencing options remain open, and Hepworth was released on bail with conditions, including an electronic GPS tag and a prohibition on contacting the victim.
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The case raises concerns about trust and safety in schools, particularly regarding the behavior of staff towards students.
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