The tearful husband of shamed teacher Gill Hearsey has told how his wife is on medication to deal with the result of her "innocent mistake".

Mrs Hearsey, of Downham Road, Wickford, is taking tablets given to her by her doctor to cope with the stress of the situation she admits she caused.

As her husband Robert, a teacher at the Ockendon School, spoke from the door of their home, his wife was said to be inside in uncontrollable tears. The couple accept the situation could "easily end her career".

The teacher of 25 years has been in charge of posting exam papers at the Laindon School for four years.

She will tell a pending investigation how she had been cleaning up her room at the James Hornsby High School, in High Road, Laindon, when she came across the papers.

Not realising they were important exam papers, the senior member of staff tidied them away in a cupboard.

Her husband, close to tears, explained: "This was a genuine mistake. My wife honestly believed she had posted the necessary papers. That is why, when asked by the head, she said they had been posted. It was only when she went to check she realised they hadn't.

"How do you come up with a rational explanation for forgetting the most important part of your job? She has had to go to a doctor and get pills for stress."

Headteacher Jacqueline White is to carry out an investigation into the blunder.

She claims she was "systematically led to believe" Mrs Hearsey had carried out her duties.

Mrs White said: "As a headteacher, some tasks have to be delegated. This was an experienced member of staff who had dealt with the exam process for years.

"I have been mislead into believing each step was taken. I have not been given a rational explanation for why this happened."

Mr Hearsey continued: "There was no reason for my wife to do what she did deliberately. She is a very dedicated teacher. She now has to face the children she cares a great deal about who will not be getting their results on time.

"It is her year group involved and she is devastated.

"It will be great if it is accepted this was a mistake, but my wife will still have to live with what has happened. She feels she has let the children down. Whatever happens, she cannot be punished half as much as she is punishing herself."

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