A disgraced Dundee teacher who sexually assaulted pupils over a ten-year period has been jailed for eight months.
James Smith, 57, groped three girls aged between 14 and 17, looked up the skirts of second-year pupils and “French-kissed” a teenager on her last day of school after she dropped out due to his behaviour.
The former art teacher also carried out sex attacks on an ex-pupil at his house in Nelson Terrace after inviting her to stay when she missed the last bus home.
Dundee Sheriff court one of Smith’s victims was a vulnerable pupil who had anxiety and he groomed her for some time before assaulting her.
His offending spanned a decade between 2008 and 2018, with his behaviour only coming to the attention of the authorities ten months ago.
Smith has now been fired from his job at the school, which can’t be named for legal reasons.
In sentencing him, Sheriff John Rafferty told Smith he had abused his position of trust and that he still blamed the victims for his actions.
Sheriff Rafferty added: “You have been convicted of offences involving six victims.
“One of the pupils you assaulted was had mental health difficulties.
“You befriended her, you sought her out, you were in contact with her on social media and you gave her gifts prior to indecently assaulting her.
“Most of your offending took place within the school and the environs of the school.
“You have abused your position of authority and trust.
“You have shown no or little remorse and understanding of the impact on your victims.”
During the trial Smith strongly protested his innocence and insisted the victims were lying.
The court had heard how he groped one girl’s bottom in a supplies cupboard, touched another pupil’s thigh and pretended to drop pencils on the floor so that he could look up girls’ skirts.
He also made crude comments to a number of girls.
Another former pupil described how she “played dead” after Smith climbed into her bed and groped her when she stayed over at his house.
The court was told that Smith had no previous convictions and was at low risk of re-offending.
He has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.
