Teacher uses discount code loophole to scam Asda out of £3000 worth of groceries

A teacher who scammed Asda out of almost £3,000 worth of shopping by using a discount code that reduced items to just 1p has avoided being banned from the profession.

Kirsti Reynolds repeatedly exploited an Asda self-checkout loophole in February and March 2023, applying a rotisserie chicken discount code to her entire basket. Over multiple visits, she racked up £1,030.77 in one store and £1,700 in another. She admitted fraud by false representation at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court and was handed a 12-month community order, alongside an order to repay the supermarket. At the time of the offences, Reynolds was teaching at Prudhoe West Academy.

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Following her conviction, a Teacher Regulation Agency panel examined whether she should remain in the classroom. The panel acknowledged she had seriously breached professional standards but decided against imposing a ban. In its report, the panel noted Reynolds had shown remorse, taken responsibility and reflected daily on the damage caused to her family, colleagues and profession. It also highlighted there was no evidence her actions had put pupils at risk.

The report said Ms Reynolds had "spent every day for the last two years reflecting on how much her actions had hurt and negatively impacted her family, colleagues and the profession". The panel was satisfied Ms Reynolds had taken steps to mitigate the behaviour happening again, Chronicle Live reports.

Decision maker Marc Cavey said: "I have concluded that a prohibition order is not proportionate or in the public interest. While the misconduct found in this case was undoubtedly serious, and is likely to damage the reputation of the profession, I do not think that preventing Ms Reynolds from working as a teacher would serve any useful purpose.

"I consider therefore that the publication of the findings made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable and that the publication would meet the public interest requirement of declaring proper standards of the profession."