Zoe Williams

Zoe Williams, a former primary school teacher from Northumberland, has been indefinitely banned from the teaching profession following her conviction for serious child sex offences. In 2023, Williams, then aged 30 and residing at The Gables in Widdrington, admitted to two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and three counts of making indecent images of children. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison with an extended licence period of five years, placed on the sex offenders register for life, and subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.

The offences came to light during an investigation into her then-boyfriend, Thomas Surtees, who was arrested in connection with unrelated sexual assaults on teenagers. Examination of Surtees' phone revealed evidence of far more sinister activities involving Williams and a young child. Videos recovered from Williams' phone showed Surtees abusing the child, with Williams recording the acts, as well as clips of Williams herself abusing the child. In one instance, after receiving a sexual image from Surtees depicting him and the child, Williams responded by suggesting he should have committed even more serious abuse. The court heard that the pair's behaviour was often fuelled by drink and drugs, and Williams, who presented a respectable facade as a teacher at Ellingham Church of England Primary School, used her position at times to 'titillate' Surtees, as stated by Judge Julie Clemitson during sentencing.

Following her conviction, Williams was suspended from her teaching role. A Teaching Regulation Agency panel convened on 27 August 2025 to review her case, concluding that her crimes were directly relevant to the teaching profession and undermined public confidence in educators. Panel decision maker Sarah Buxcey, on behalf of the Secretary of State, issued the prohibition order, stating in the written judgement: 'Zoe Williams is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.' The panel further decided that Williams would not be eligible to apply for restoration of her teaching eligibility due to the gravity of the offences.

School headteacher Diane Lakey informed parents in a 2023 letter, co-signed by Paul Rickeard, Director of Education for the C of E Diocese of Newcastle, and Audrey Kingham, Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education at Northumberland County Council, emphasising that the offences were not linked to any pupils from the school or others where Williams had worked. The case was branded particularly shocking given Williams' role in education, with the judge describing her as a 'monster' in court. Surtees, from Wallsend, received a 15-year sentence with a five-year extended licence for his involvement.

Source: Chronicle Live article, published 28 September 2025.