NewsEducationPrimary school teacher banned from classrooms after sending thousands of pounds to terror groups

Miriam Sebbagh, 52, also sent extremist videos promoting violent jihad

Ted HennesseySunday 09 January 2022 23:48Comments Article bookmarked

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Don't show me this message again✕

Miriam Sebbagh worked as a teacher at Hunwick Primary School in Crook, County Durham

(Google Street View)

A primary school teacher has been banned from teaching after sending thousands of pounds to individuals and groups linked to terrorism.

Miriam Sebbagh, 52, who worked at Hunwick primary school in Crook, County Durham, has been prohibited "indefinitely" from any classroom by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

It came after she was found to have made five payments worth £2,500 to a person linked to banned terrorist organisation Al-Muhajiroun (ALM), as well as sending extremist videos promoting violent jihad.

In July 2017, Ms Sebbagh was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing North East (CTPNE) but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided there was "insufficient evidence" to charge her.

CTPNE "maintained a high level of concern" regarding Ms Sebbagh's state of mind, her opinions and her actions as a teacher, and submitted that her conduct should be considered by the TRA.

Recommended

• Manchester bombing victim’s mother made OBE for work to fight terrorism
• Stopping terror attacks is ‘more difficult than ever’, police chief warns
• The changing face of terrorism in the UK since 9/11

A witness statement provided to the panel said: "Ms Sebbagh initially came to the attention of CTPNE following receipt of financial intelligence, which indicated that she had made several payments to an individual linked to Al- Muhajiroun, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation.

"The investigation identified that Ms Sebbagh sent five payments [of ] £2,500 from her account to the individual."

A further seven payments totalling £1,310 were made between January 27 and July 5 2016 to an individual who is suspected to have left the UK and join the terrorist group calling itself Islamic State.

In 2017, a payment of £100 was made to an individual believed to have married a suspected ALM member and there was an unsuccessful payment in 2015 to an individual arrested over terrorism offences, the panel was told.

(function({ document }) { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.defer = 'true'; script.onload = function () { playincVideo && playincVideo('playinc-article-component-10').setup({ customparams: 'article%3D1989687%26gs_channels%3Dshadow9hu7_safe_from_essence_blacklist%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_collective_december2020%2Cshadow9hu7_safe_from_asda%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_diageo_nov20%2Capple_corevalues_negkeywords_2020%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_ttd_uk_blocklist_mar21%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_loop_me%2Csafe_aegis%2Cshadow9hu7_safe_from_aegis_blacklist%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_t10_tanqueray%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_tanqueray_4000kw%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_saudiaramco_nov20%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_castrol_nov20%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_worldwildlifefund_november20%2Cshadow9hu7_safe_from_mobkoi_facebook_keyword%2Cgv_terrorism%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_hoopla_next_mar21%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_sukin_jan21%2Cskyonecurfew_block%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_terrorism_blacklist%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_philip_morris_2%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_lg_aug20%2Chuaweinova_mobkoi_blocklist%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_o2_havas_jan21%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_tourismireland%2Camex_keywordlist_2020%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_amex_2020%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_amex_blocklist_sep21%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_facebook_policy_affairs%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_tesco_groupm_gps_nov20%2Cnestle_bespoke%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_inskin_safe%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_loopme_negkeywords_2020%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_keyword_blacklist_microsoft%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_cartier5_usa%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_cartier1_usa%2Cgt_negative%2Cgv_crime%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_intel_feb21%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_microsoft_kwlist_jul21_03%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_philip_morris_12%2Cgs_law_misc%2Cneg_tourism_ireland%2Csafe_from_emirates_blacklist%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_philip_morris_11%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_cartier2_usa%2Cgs_law%2Cgv_safe_adult%2Cgv_safe_arms%2Cgv_safe_death_injury%2Cgv_safe_download%2Cgv_safe_drugs%2Cgv_safe_military%2Cgv_safe_obscenity%2Cgv_safe_tobacco%2Cpos_amazon_carnival_row_04%2Cpos_animal_cruelty%2Cpos_bp%2Cpos_burberry%2Cpos_cartier4_usa%2Cpos_covid19_leicester%2Cpos_facebook%2Cpos_facebook_oct20%2Cpos_heinz_blacklist_jul21_01%2Cpos_hsbc_oct20%2Cpos_lvmh%2Cpos_mfk%2Cpos_microsoft_kwlist_jul21_01%2Cpos_microsoft_kwlist_jul21_02%2Cpos_microsoft_kwlist_jul21_04%2Cpos_microsoft_kwlist_jul21_06%2Cpos_microsoft_kwlist_jul21_07%2Cpos_philip_morris%2Cpos_philip_morris_1%2Cpos_philip_morris_10%2Cpos_philip_morris_13%2Cpos_philip_morris_14%2Cpos_philip_morris_15%2Cpos_philip_morris_16%2Cpos_philip_morris_17%2Cpos_philip_morris_19%2Cpos_philip_morris_20%2Cpos_philip_morris_3%2Cpos_philip_morris_4%2Cpos_philip_morris_5%2Cpos_philip_morris_6%2Cpos_philip_morris_7%2Cpos_philip_morris_8%2Cpos_philip_morris_9%2Cpos_sabic%2Cpos_sabic_mobkoi%2Cpos_society_lgbt%2Cpos_test%2Cpos_vw_porsche_ias_kw_list_jan21%2Cpos_vw_seat_ias_kw_list_jan21%2Cpos_vw_skoda_ias_kw_list_jan21%2Cpos_vw_vwcv_man_vwfs_ias_kw_list_jan21%2Csafe_from_facebook_blacklist%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_audi_oct20%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_vw_2020%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_vw_audi_ias_kw_list_jan21%2Cgt_negative_anger%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_microsoft_kwlist_jul21_05%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_philip_morris_18%2Cgs_society%2Cshadow9hu7_pos_cartier3_usa%2Cgv_hatespeech%26topictags%3Dterrorism%2Cprimary-school%2Ccounty-durham%2Cislamist-extremism%2Cs_news%2Cs_education', dunit: '71347885/_main_independent/in_news/in_education/video/article_hub', path: '/news/education/teacher-banned-terror-funding-miriam-sebbagh-b1989687.html', mediaid: '', title: 'Primary%20school%20teacher%20banned%20from%20classrooms%20after%20sending%20thousands%20of%20pounds%20to%20terror%20groups', text: 'Miriam%20Sebbagh%2C%2052%2C%20also%20sent%20extremist%20videos%20promoting%20violent%20jihad%20', tags: 'terrorism,primary-school,county-durham,islamist-extremism,s_news,s_education', }); }; script.src = 'https://videohub.playinc.uk.com/assets/independent/v5/lib.js'; document.head.appendChild(script); })(window);

Police discovered £4,670 in a safe at her address in 2018 which was intended to fund terror attacks.

The money was forfeited under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 and Ms Sebbagh was also ordered to pay costs of £12,654.

During a police interview on May 8 2018, Ms Sebbagh said she regularly donated to good causes including Muslim charities as part of her faith and denied making payments to those linked to terrorism.

A witness statement to the panel said: "Despite Ms Sebbagh's assertion that the payments she had made were charitable in nature, the only 'charitable' aspects of those payments were to support fellow extremists whilst under criminal investigation for terrorist-related offences and/or to fund travel to join Isis or others who espouse hate."

The panel also heard Ms Sebbagh had "strongly-held views" that violent jihad was the "correct interpretation of Islamic teaching".

She had liked a number of pages on Facebook including those of individuals linked to IS, extremist views and hate speech, and had been trying to radicalise a friend with her beliefs about "violent jihad".

Ms Sebbagh also sent four "extreme and concerning" videos to someone, one of which would be classified as a criminal offence to disseminate contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.

Alan Meyrick, on behalf of the Education Secretary, made the decision to ban Ms Sebbagh due to the "seriousness of the allegations found proved against her".

Recommended

• Government ‘failing’ on classroom ventilation as thousands will not get air purifiers
• Teach your children at home every day, says Britain’s ‘strictest headteacher’
• Schools close as Covid causes shortage of teachers

Ms Sebbagh did not attend the hearing, which took place on December 21.

PA

Register for free to continue reading

Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism

By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists

registerEmailPlease enter a valid emailPlease enter a valid emailPasswordMust be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a numberMust be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a numberMust be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a numberFirst namePlease enter your first nameSpecial characters aren’t allowedPlease enter a name between 1 and 40 charactersLast namePlease enter your last nameSpecial characters aren’t allowedPlease enter a name between 1 and 40 charactersSelect your year of birth2004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977197619751974197319721971197019691968196719661965196419631962196119601959195819571956195519541953195219511950194919481947194619451944194319421941194019391938193719361935193419331932193119301929192819271926192519241923192219211920191919181917191619151914You must be over 18 years old to registerYou must be over 18 years old to registerYear of birthI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. 
Read our Privacy noticeOpt-out-policyYou can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Each email has a link to unsubscribe.

{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}

Create my account

By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

RegisterI'll try later

Already have an account? sign in

By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

More aboutTerrorismPrimary SchoolCounty DurhamIslamist extremism Join our new commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments {"currentIndex":0}1/1Primary school teacher banned after sending thousands to terror groups Primary school teacher banned after sending thousands to terror groups

Miriam Sebbagh worked as a teacher at Hunwick Primary School in Crook, County Durham

Google Street View

✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost popular{{#link}}{{title}}{{/link}}Popular videos{{#link}} {{title}}{{/link}} Trending{{#path}}{{title}}{{/path}}{"items":[{"title":"Study shows the Olympics is most LGBTQIA+ friendly sporting event ever","link":"https://conversations.indy100.com/olympics-2021-lgbtqia-sporting-event","image":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/ireen-wust-of-netherlands-competes-in-the-1500m-ladies-race-during-day-4-of-the-isu-world-speed-skating-championships-at-thialf-arena-on-february-14-2021-in-heerenveen-netherlands.jpg?id=27078504\u0026width=980","imageProp":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/ireen-wust-of-netherlands-competes-in-the-1500m-ladies-race-during-day-4-of-the-isu-world-speed-skating-championships-at-thialf-arena-on-february-14-2021-in-heerenveen-netherlands.jpg?id=27078504"},{"title":"The best ways to show people closest to you that they are heard and appreciated","link":"https://conversations.indy100.com/appreciation-care-loved-ones-communication","image":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/strong-relationships-necessitate-open-lines-of-communication.jpg?id=27091833\u0026width=980","imageProp":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/strong-relationships-necessitate-open-lines-of-communication.jpg?id=27091833"},{"title":"Peta and Staffies: Why the call to eradicate the breed has to end","link":"https://conversations.indy100.com/peta-staffies-breeding-eradication-ban","image":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/staffordshire-bull-terrier.jpg?id=25674671\u0026width=980","imageProp":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/staffordshire-bull-terrier.jpg?id=25674671"},{"title":"The challenges of summertime parenting - from brain freeze to sandy cars","link":"https://conversations.indy100.com/summertime-parenting","image":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=26576169\u0026width=980","imageProp":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=26576169"},{"title":"The Top 3 Worst Questions I've Been Asked As A Parent","link":"https://conversations.indy100.com/worst-questions-to-ask-parents","image":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/never-comment-on-a-pregnant-woman-s-size-especially-if-she-has-a-sword.jpg?id=26605287\u0026width=980","imageProp":"https://conversations.indy100.com/media-library/never-comment-on-a-pregnant-woman-s-size-especially-if-she-has-a-sword.jpg?id=26605287"}]}Featured{{#link}}{{title}}{{/link}}Sponsored Features{{#link}}{{title}}{{/link}}Voucher CodesVery Discount Code20% or more off electricals in the Very saleBooking Com DiscountsSave 15% or more Booking.com discount codes & cashback in JanuaryDebenhams Discount CodeOnly £2 for delivery with this Debenhams discount code Aliexpress Promo CodeCollect up to 70% off all orders with this AliExpress discounteBay Discount CodeSave 15% on selected sellers using this eBay discount code