David Zell, a former teacher at the Hurst School in Baughurst, Hampshire, has been banned from teaching for at least five years following a drink-driving incident. The decision was made by David Oatley after Zell drove his car into a ground-floor bedroom on March 17, 2022, while two people were asleep inside. This significant event has culminated in various legal and professional consequences for Zell.
The incident occurred when Zell, who had joined the Hurst School in September 2020, drove his vehicle into the residence, exceeding the legal alcohol limit of 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath with a recorded level of 57 micrograms. Following the crash, Zell fled the scene but was later apprehended by police. Initially denying the charge of drink-driving, Zell claimed he consumed alcohol only after returning home.
Legal proceedings in May 2022 resulted in Zell being banned from driving for a year by the magistrates. Additionally, on June 23, 2022, he was fined £400 and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work as part of his sentence. The repercussions extended beyond legal penalties, affecting his professional life as well.
Zell left the Hurst School in July 2022 amid the fallout from the incident. Reflecting on his actions, Zell expressed remorse for the impact on his teaching career.
"I now realise how serious it is, it has seriously harmed my career as a teacher, possibly irretrievably, and this is a matter of deep regret and distress," he stated.
