Reality TV Personality Accused of Orchestrating Pupil’s Phone Theft
A former reality television personality, who transitioned to a teaching career, has been convicted of orchestrating a plan to steal a student’s mobile phone. The court heard that the ex-celebrity allegedly recruited another student and a school dinner lady to assist in the theft.
Details of the Alleged Scheme Emerge
Lewis Hepworth, 29, reportedly devised the scheme to take the phone following his dismissal from a school in Harrow. This dismissal came after he was arrested on suspicion of stalking a 16-year-old pupil, a charge that was later withdrawn. Hepworth, who previously appeared on television shows including ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ and ‘Coach Trip,’ held the position of Head of Year 11 and taught child development.
Snaresbrook Crown Court was informed that the alleged plot involved a complex arrangement to retrieve the phone after it had been placed in a box. A dinner lady was purportedly meant to collect the device from a hedge after another student had taken it from the storage box.
Prosecutor Bethany Hutchinson detailed the alleged plan: “The students had their phones in a box. The plan with the second student was she would steal the phone from the box. There was also a dinner lady involved in this plan. The plan, it appears, is that the student would steal it from the box and then the dinner lady would pick the phone from the hedge. I don’t know what has come of the dinner lady but that’s what happened.”
Teacher’s Motive and Defense
Following the discovery of the missing phone, the school reviewed CCTV footage, which reportedly showed another pupil taking the device. Tim Bass, representing Hepworth, stated that his client had a “history of dealing with troubled children” but acknowledged that he had “went too far” in this instance.
Mr. Bass explained, “He did get involved in the complainant’s affairs, and family affairs. But he was trying to assist those involved. This particular relationship went particularly sour. This defendant was calling the police about messages he had received. The reason for taking the phone was to stop any more messages reaching him and his family.”
Abuse of Trust and Sentencing Concerns
Ms. Hutchinson argued for a custodial sentence, emphasizing Hepworth’s alleged abuse of his position of trust as a teacher and his involvement of another student in criminal activity. “This was a leading role in a group. He enlisted the help of a student and a dinner lady,” she remarked.
The judge, Mr. Recorder Tom Forster KC, indicated that sentencing would be carefully considered, ordering a pre-sentence report. “I have decided to order a pre-sentence report in your case as I think this is a finely balanced decision. All options remain open,” the judge stated.
Hepworth, residing in Barnet, pleaded not guilty but was convicted of theft. He has been granted bail under the condition of an electronic GPS tag and is prohibited from contacting the alleged victim.
Hepworth’s past media appearances also include roles in films such as ‘Hello Au Revoir’ and ‘100 Balfour Road,’ as well as television programs like ‘Judge Rinder’ and the gameshow ‘Cannonball.’ He also featured in ‘Coach Trip: Road to Tenerife’ with his boyfriend. Company records indicate his directorship of LDNTV Ltd, a media and entertainment firm focused on talent shows, which was later dissolved.
