A COLLEGE construction lecturer who described sexual harassment allegations as “banter” has been found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct at a tribunal.

A Fitness to Practice Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC) found conduct by Coleg Gwent lecturer Jeffrey McMail amounted to to bullying and sexual harassment .

While working at Newport’s Coleg Gwent Campus, the 50-year-old former builder made sexually suggestive comments to a female member of staff, referred to as 'Colleague A' to protect her identity.

The committee, sitting in Cardiff earlier this week, found the allegations, which occurred between January and August 2015 - including an occasion he grabbed 'Colleague A' by the arms, pushed her backwards onto his desk and lay on her simulating a sexual act - proven.

Another incident involved a staffroom comment about 'Colleague A', where Mr Mcmail said to another member of staff “Do me a favour mate, just shag her will you, she needs it”.

And, on August 26, 2015, while in the staff room, the construction teacher commented about how 'Colleague A' could masturbate with an object he was holding.

In evidence, the tribunal also heard how the comments forced the female teacher to take voluntary redundancy.

Cadi Dewi, presenting officer, told the Education Workforce Council hearing there was a 'culture of teasing' and 'banter' at their college - but Mr Mcmail's behaviour became 'unacceptable'.

"There was a culture of language which may have been considered appropriate in another environment which may have become normalised to McMail and his colleagues,” Ms Dewi said.

"There was an entrenched and long-standing culture in the department where colleagues saw nothing wrong with their behaviour.

"Colleague A says while she was open to the behaviour for some time, the behaviour of McMail in particular escalated to an unacceptable level."

Stephen Llewellyn, head of school for services, said Mr McMail admitted engaging in 'banter' with the woman - but found it 'difficult' to give examples of the type of language he would use.

Mr Llewellyn added: "During our interviews he was quite flustered and seemed to have memory loss when questions were put to him.

"He was vague and used the word banter a lot.

"Other staff members admitted there was sexual comments in the staff room but no one could give us examples. It looked like there had been some collusion but there was no evidence that there actually was."

He added that students had described McMail as 'playful' and a 'fun guy to be around'.

The committee adjourned the hearing, where they will next decide whether to impose a disciplinary order against Mr McMail’s registration as a Further Education teacher.

The date of the hearing will appear on the www.ewc.wales five days before the committee is set to meet.