Two trainee teachers have been told they can return to the classroom despite being caught drink-driving, in possession of a class A drug and committing a violent assault.

Thomas O’Connor and Daniel Murphy are studying to be teachers at the University of Brighton.

Yesterday the pair learnt they would be allowed to carry on their studies and eventually lead a classroom despite failing to declare their past convictions.

Murphy, who was convicted of a violent assault, was only given a reprimand from the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE), which will be wiped from his record after two years.

O’Connor was disqualified from driving for 18 months after admitting drink driving in March 2009. He also received a caution after being caught with ecstasy by police in London last September.

The decision to only reprimand both men was agreed by a panel of GTCE experts after hearing that they had admitted the offences.