Amy Winehouse's headteacher father-in-law avoids classroom ban after being cleared of calling parent a 'tart' and Muslim children 'little mussies'

  • Giles Civil, step-father of Blake Fielder-Civil, was given a reprieve 
  • He was found guilty of bringing the profession into disrepute but cleared
  • of other allegations 
  • Mr Civil is head teacher at Welland Primary School, in Peterborough
  • He said he was 'ashamed' of verbally abusing his other son's football coach

Former headmaster Giles Civil  was brought before a professional conduct panel over a number of charges

Former headmaster Giles Civil was brought before a professional conduct panel over a number of charges

Amy Winehouse's father-in-law has escaped a teaching ban despite being found guilty of bringing the profession into disrepute.

Former headmaster Giles Civil – step-father to the Back to Black singer's husband Blake Fielder-Civil – was brought before a professional conduct panel over a number of charges.

He admitted unacceptable professional conduct over a criminal conviction for verbally abusing his younger son's football coach – but denied a string of other charges at the hearing.

The panel found Mr Civil had failed to maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school, and had also failed to show tolerance of and respect for the rights of others.

The headteacher – who once urged fans to boycott his daughter-in-law's records and warned that she and his stepson Blake could end up dead through their drug abuse – found himself in trouble with the law over an altercation with his younger son's football coach in September 2005.

Mr Civil was given a conditional discharge for disorderly behaviour and using threatening or abusive words at Grantham Magistrates Court in May 2007 – three days after Blake and Amy wed.

He was cleared of a number of other more recent charges, including referring to Muslim children as 'little mussies' and calling a disgruntled parent a tart.

He was also found not guilty of bullying staff and using excessive force against two pupils.

Most of the accusations were made by a member of staff at Welland Primary School in Peterborough.

Mr Civil is pictured (far left) with wife Georgette (second from left), Amy Winehouse (second from right) and Blake Fielder-Civil (far right) leaving the late singer's north London home

Mr Civil is pictured (far left) with wife Georgette (second from left), Amy Winehouse (second from right) and Blake Fielder-Civil (far right) leaving the late singer's north London home

A report into the hearing noted that a prohibition order would be appropriate but added that Mr Civil had shown remorse for the original offence.

The publication also said that Mr Civil had always been upfront about his conviction in job interviews and was a well-respected headteacher.

Jayne Millions from the National College for Teaching and Leadership said: 'For the one allegation found proven, the panel has found that this allegation amounts to conduct which may bring the profession into disrepute.

'Even though there were behaviours that would point to a prohibition order being appropriate, the panel went on to consider whether or not there were sufficient mitigating factors.

'In conclusion, I note that Mr Civil expressed significant insight as to the seriousness of the incident which led to his conviction and remorse over his behaviour on that day. 

Mr Civil's on Blake and wife Amy together at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards in California

Mr Civil's on Blake and wife Amy together at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards in California

'I agree with the panel that a finding of conduct which may bring the profession into disrepute is a proportionate response in itself, and sufficient to maintain public confidence in the profession and clarity as to the standards expected of teachers.

'The panel is satisfied that the conduct of Mr Civil fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.

'I note that Mr Civil has acknowledged that his behaviour was inappropriate.

'Mr Civil has held a number of responsible and senior roles in schools since his conviction, and the panel has heard evidence that all of those appointing Mr Civil, including governors and representatives of the relevant local authorities, were made aware by Mr Civil of his conviction.'

Mr Civil told the hearing: 'I am ashamed about my anger and deeply regret the incident. I have learnt my lesson and there have been no such concerns since that day 11 years ago.

'The incident happened in very particular circumstances and stemmed from my fatherly anxiety and protectiveness for my young child.

'Such an episode would not happen again in my personal life and certainly not at work.'

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