A geography teacher cleared of raping a pupil has warned that men should steer clear of the profession, after a false allegation shattered his dream career.
Kato Harris, a former head of department at an all-girls school in London, was accused of attacking a 14-year-old three times in a classroom during lunch breaks in autumn 2013, but was found not guilty after a trial last year.
The 38-year-old said before his ordeal began, “life was like a wonderful dream”, and with a successful career and a child also on the way he was “looking forward to a great future”.
“If I knew on the day I qualified what I know now, I would never have become a teacher “
In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, he has disclosed that “one of the biggest challenges” he now faces is forgiving his accuser, something he said he will do, “just not now”.
He told the newspaper:
“I would certainly advocate that no man qualify as a teacher. It is just not worth it. What is the lesson here? There is nothing to protect the male teacher.”
A jury found Mr Harris, from Richmond, not guilty of all charges following his trial at Isleworth Crown Court.
“I had to give up my dream job because of a crime I didn’t commit,” he said.
“I am unemployed, living in a bedsit and will soon be on housing benefit. I am toxic.”
Mr Harris, who saidhe is now considering a job in a crematorium, added: “If I knew on the day I qualified what I know now, I would never have become a teacher.
“I will never work with children again. I will never put myself in that position of vulnerability.”
The accusations emerged in December 2014, and Mr Harris said he was in “total shock” when police arrested him.
He told the newspaper he had made the decision to kill himself if he was charged, but that with the arrival of a baby daughter he wanted to carry on and prove his innocence.
Mr Harris added: “I’ve looked into the abyss. But every day I wake up and I’m a daddy and not in prison, and that’s the best thing that I could have hoped for.”
What a horrible story. I’m glad he was cleared but I’m sure he’s a bitter angry man now, and I don’t blame him a bit.
Friend of mine lost his career, kids, wife, and his retirement because of a false accusation of rape. He was fast tracking to be an E9 at an early age. A female soldier brought all that to a halt and destroyed his career. The only way he was saved, was by her own big mouth. He is now fighting to get back his retirement and wants back in the army.
^^
A former coworker of mine spent six months in jail due due to a false accusation. A girl he’d been babysitting accused him when he told her to do her homework before going outside. (I shit you not).
Im not sure how it came about, but the girl and her family finally told the truth then. He just walked away and said he never wanted to see them again.
False accusations really do ruin lives. I feel awful for this guy.
FALSE ACCUSATIONS RUIN LIVES
And then, there are some who will adamantly screech that women can do no wrong. That women can’t lie and ruin lives, that they’re always right and the man they accuse should be taken away immediately.
Now, I’m not saying victims of actual rape should be ignored, but when considering a story like this, the fact that some would still say women can’t lie and ‘rape victims’ are always in the right are trash.
Literal scum.