A teacher cleared of raping a pupil has warned men to avoid getting into the profession after a false allegation ruined his career.

Kato Harris, a head of department at an all-girls school in London, was accused of attacking a 14-year-old three times in a classroom during lunch breaks in autumn 2013, but was found not guilty after a trial last year.

The 38-year-old geography teacher said life had been like a "wonderful dream" before the ordeal as he had a "successful career" and a child on the way.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday he revealed "one of the biggest challenges" he faces now is forgiving his accuser, something he cannot do now but intends to in the future. 

He told the newspaper: "I would certainly advocate that no man qualify as a teacher.

"It is just not worth it. What is the lesson here? There is nothing to protect the male teacher."

A jury found Mr Harris, from Richmond, not guilty of all charges following his trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

He said: "I had to give up my dream job because of a crime I didn't commit.

"I am unemployed, living in a bedsit and will soon be on housing benefit. I am toxic."

Mr Harris, who is now considering a job in a crematorium, added: "If I knew on the day I qualified what I know now, I would never have become a teacher.

"I will never work with children again - I will never put myself in that position of vulnerability."

The accusations emerged in December 2014, and Mr Harris said he was in "total shock" when police arrested him.

He said he had decided to kill himself if he was charged, but that with the arrival of a baby daughter he wanted to carry on and prove his innocence.

Mr Harris added: "I've looked into the abyss. But every day I wake up and I'm a daddy and not in prison - and that's the best thing that I could have hoped for."