A LORNSHILL Academy teacher, who faced being struck off, has died.

James Cook died suddenly at the weekend after suffering what the Advertiser understands was a stroke.

He worked for 10 years under Clackmannanshire Council and had been a technical teacher at the Alloa secondary school.

Mr Cook had appeared at a General Teaching Council (GTC) Scotland ‘fitness to teach’ hearing earlier this year and faced 16 charges dating from 2006 to 2012.

The allegations included one that he racially abused a colleague, referring to her as “that c**n in the corner”.

He was also alleged to have bragged to staff that he used “ragheads as bullet practice” while he was in the army and humiliated two pupils by calling one “Lornshill’s own Tank Commander”, referring to the TV comedy series Gary Tank Commander, and asking another “Have you been eating too many Big Macs?”.

A spokeswoman for GTC Scotland said that at the time of his death his case was ongoing.

Clackmannanshire councillor Ellen Forson, education convener, said, “We can confirm that teacher Jim Cook died suddenly at home at the weekend.

“Staff and pupils have been informed and our condolences are with his family.”