A PONTYPOOL primary teacher who turned up to work smelling of alcohol on several occasions following her return from a life-threatening illness has been suspended for one year.

Karon Thomas-Larkin, who we interviewed previously about surviving Legionnaire's Disease, was a Year 1 teacher at Cwmffrwdoer Primary School, and had been at the school since 2005 before eventually being dismissed last year.

A professional conduct committee hearing of the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW), sitting in Cardiff today, heard how several staff at the school smelt alcohol on her breath on seven different occasions over a three-week period in late 2012.

It is also said that Ms Thomas-Larkin behaved in a manner consistent with being intoxicated in a public place during working hours, and that both allegations amount to "unacceptable professional conduct". She accepts all three allegations against her.

The first allegation relates to a period between September 11 and October 4, 2012, when Ms Thomas-Larkin had returned to work following a long sick absence.

Rhiannon Dale, presenting officer in the case, said several members of staff reported they could smell "stale alcohol" on Ms Thomas-Larkin's breath, with one staff member saying it was "overbearing".

Another said she smelled alcohol on Ms Thomas-Larkin's breath in the school's tuck shop during a mid-morning period.

Having been made aware of these reports, the school's head teacher, Sarah Truelove, eventually suspended her on October 8 until January 7, 2013.

In April that year, it was agreed that Ms Thomas-Larkin could return home from work early to complete her lesson-planning. But at 1.25pm that day, HR officers from Torfaen council's Pearl House in Pontypool recognised the teacher while she was sitting on a bench opposite the building.

One officer noticed that she had been there for around two hours and appeared to have difficulties standing up and attempting to cross the road towards a bus stop.

Ms Dale said one officer described the teacher as "staggering" across the road and falling backwards onto the floor as she tried to sit down on a bench in the wrong bus stop.

Two officers then decided to drive Ms Thomas-Larkin home, Ms Dale said. The officers commented there was a "distinct smell of alcohol" on her breath, adding she fell while trying to get into the car.

Ms Thomas-Larkin was dismissed by the school in March 2014 following an internal disciplinary investigation.

Ms Dale said that by turning up to work under the influence of alcohol, Ms Thomas-Larkin "potentially put the safety and well-being of children in her care in jeopardy".

Chris Long, head teacher at the school for 17 years until his retirement in August 2010, gave evidence at the hearing and said Ms Thomas-Larkin was a "highly effective teacher".

He said she had got the job full-time after being chosen from more than 300 applicants.

"It's tragic for a teacher of her ability to find herself in this situation through no fault of her own," Mr Long added. "Illness can happen to anyone.

"She nearly died several times during her illness."

Mr Long, who believed he was seen as an "uncle figure" to his former employee, said Ms Thomas-Larkin had since sought professional help and is now doing administrative work for a local charity. He suggested the school could have done more to help her with her alcohol issues.

Ms Thomas-Larkin's evidence was heard in private.

David Browne, her representative from NASUWT, said: "She wants to fight for the opportunity to continue teaching. This is someone who wants to rehabilitate."

Steve Powell, chairman of the conduct committee, said steps had been taken by Ms Thomas-Larkin to deal with her alcohol dependency.

A one-year suspension order was imposed meaning she will not be able to teach during this period, and cannot return to work until she has provided a written medical report stating she is fit to return to teaching.