A HOMOPHOBIC science teacher who told his students that gay people 'have a disease' has been banned from teaching.

Joshua Onduso was working at The Reintegration Service at Moorside Community Centre in Thatcham when he made the controversial remarks due to his religious beliefs.

A National College for Teaching and Leadership panel found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and he has been banned indefinitely.

Throughout the two-day hearing Onduso, 50, denied that he demonstrated a lack of respect, despite saying homosexuals 'have something wrong upstairs', or words to that effect.

He started working as a science teacher in September 2014, but concerns were raised to the head teacher in May last year when the comments were made.

Dawn Dandy, the decision maker, said in the report: "Joshua Onduso is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

"Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that [he] shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.

"I have considered the panel’s comments that it does not have confidence that Mr Onduso could behave appropriately in a school setting and does not consider that further training would address the concerns given the findings of a deep-seated attitude that leads to harmful behaviour.

"Furthermore the panel said it finds it difficult to conclude that there is not a risk of this behaviour occurring again in the future.

"The panel did not consider that Mr Onduso has displayed sufficient insight into his actions and had not seen any evidence to persuade it that Mr Onduso has learnt from his actions.”

Head teacher Stacey Hunter told the hearing she was shocked when the Christian man told her he 'did not condone what [gay people] do.'

The panel found that Mr Onduso 'abused his position as a teacher' and made offensive and homophobic comments and gestures in the presence of vulnerable pupils.

Onduso could appeal the decision by applying to the High Court.