A teacher who took pictures of his genitalia at work during the school day has been banned from the profession for life.
A misconduct panel found Benjamin Lillicrap, a science teacher at The Abbey School in Faversham, engaged in “sexually motivated” behaviour while on duty.
He was a teacher at The Abbey School in Faversham
The panel heard he took multiple genital pictures while at work during school hours between July 2023, when he started, and November 2023, when he was suspended.
The images came to light during a police investigation into an unrelated matter, where “images of him taking what are commonly called ‘d**k pics’” were uncovered.
Mr Lillicrap, now 41, later admitted taking the photos, attempting to remedy the situation by saying they were intended for a private recipient and that no pupils were present at the time.
He told investigators: “It was never anything that was meant to come to light.”
It was alleged there were “upwards of five or six” images all taken within the school, including his office.
A misconduct panel found Benjamin Lillicrap engaged in “sexually motivated” behaviour while on duty. Picture: Google
Mr Lillicrap was dismissed for gross misconduct in February 2024.
While no criminal charges were brought, a Teaching Regulation Agency panel concluded his actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and brought the profession into disrepute.
The report found his behaviour was “of a sexual nature” and driven by sexual motivation, adding there was “no plausible innocent explanation”.
“Mr Lillicrap, when taking images of his genitalia on school premises…was wrongly focused on his own sexual gratification rather than on his teaching responsibilities,” said the panel.
“Mr Lillicrap’s behaviour showed no regard to safeguarding of students, or the potential risk of students, colleagues and/or members of the public finding him taking images of his genitalia when on school premises.
“This was not an appropriate way for a teacher to behave, and he failed to observe the boundaries appropriate to his role as a teacher.”
It concluded his actions “fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession” and would “significantly damage the public’s perception of teachers”.
Concerns were also raised about safeguarding, warning Mr Lillicrap’s actions risked exposing pupils, colleagues or members of the public to inappropriate behaviour.
Investigators further noted similar images had been taken at previous schools, suggesting a pattern of conduct and a risk it could be repeated.
The panel said Mr Lillicrap had shown some remorse, but found this did not outweigh the seriousness of the case.
A prohibition order was recommended and later imposed on behalf of the Secretary of State.
It means he is barred from teaching indefinitely and cannot apply to return to the classroom.
The decision states the misconduct was “at the more serious end of the spectrum” and that a lifetime ban was necessary to maintain public confidence in the profession.