Teacher Banned for Funding Terror Links and Radicalising Friend
Miriam Sebbagh, a former teacher at Hunwick Primary School in Crook, County Durham, has been banned from the profession for funneling money to known terrorists and attempting to radicalise a friend.
Police Probe but No Criminal Charges
Ms Sebbagh was arrested in 2017 after Counter-Terrorism Policing North East (CTPNE) flagged serious concerns. Despite an in-depth police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service ruled there wasn’t enough evidence to charge her.
“CTPNE maintained a high level of concern regarding Ms Sebbagh’s state of mind, the opinions she espoused, and her actions within the teaching arena,”
the panel report revealed.
Thousands Sent to Terror-Linked Contacts
- CTPNE uncovered that Sebbagh gave £2,500 to an individual tied to a proscribed terrorist organisation.
- She also made multiple payments to other individuals, charities, overseas accounts, and crowdfunding sites.
- Some funds were linked to suspected terror travel from the UK to extremist groups.
The panel heard she knowingly supported people under investigation or arrest for terrorism offences.
Denials and Lies Uncovered
Ms Sebbagh insisted she did not know ISIS was a terrorist group and denied promoting violent jihad, despite evidence to the contrary. She lied about sending a jihad-promoting video and funding an individual who encouraged hate against the West, sharing their extremist views privately.
She failed to respond formally or attend the misconduct hearing.
School Cleared as Teacher Dismissed
Hunwick Primary’s headteacher, Stuart Joyce, said:
“None of the allegations concerned her employment here. She was suspended immediately after the school was alerted and dismissed in October 2018.”
Ms Sebbagh was ordered to forfeit £4,670 seized from her safe, intended for terrorist contacts, and pay £12,654 in costs. She was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and disgraceful behaviour, leading to a lifetime teaching ban.
