called Keira was one of twins - and that her brother, Harrison, born with Down's Syndrome, had died soon after birth.

Ms Jones was accused of weaving "an elaborate web of deceit" to gain revenge on her ex-boyfriend Daniel Barberini, 26, after their 16-month relationship ended.

New York

The disciplinary panel heard she thought up the hoax after a former schoolmate added her as a "friend" on Facebook to show her the pictures of her own daughter.

The photos showed the child hours after she was born, celebrating her first birthday, enjoying Christmas and playing at home.

Ms Jones claimed to have given birth to his twins in New York before emigrating from Britain to Australia.

The hoax came to light when Mr Barberini showed one of the pictures to a friend who alsoknew the baby's real mother.

Speaking before the hearing, Mr Barberini said: "I still can't believe how Victoria could be so cruel. I was so proud of my little girl and to lose her like that was just horrendous."

'One of the quietest'

The baby's mother informed the police but after an investigation officers ruled the teacher had not broken the law.

The mother said she remembered Ms Jones from school as "one of the quietest people you could ever meet".

"She had access to my Facebook site as a friend but I haven't seen her for six years," she said.

"After I found out what was going on she phoned me and wanted to meet up - but I said no."

Panel chairman John Collins said: "We are satisfied Miss Jones' actions fall short