A teacher with more than 40 years experience has been admonished after admitting grabbing a child he was “telling off”.
Peter McInnes, 64, left Dundee Sheriff Court without further punishment on after pleading guilty before trial.
The court heard McInnes, who at one point in his career led teacher training for drama educators, intends to continue registering as available on the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
The trial had been scheduled to run on Thursday but a last-minute agreement was reached between the defence and procurator fiscal’s office, meaning child witnesses due to give evidence did not need to do so.
‘Unblemished record’
Depute fiscal Rachel Hill told the court: “The complainer is 12-years-old and at the time was a first year pupil.
“The accused was a supply drama teacher at the school, having started one week prior to the incident.
“The witnesses and the complainer were in the playground during lunch.
“The accused saw the complainer misbehaving – he was swearing.
“The accused took him aside to tell him off about his behaviour.
“As he did so, the complainer tried to run away, at which time the accused grabbed the rear of the complainer’s jacket, at the bottom of the jacket, causing it to rip.
“The issues was not raised any further at the time but the complainer went home and told his parents.
“In relation to caution and charge, the accused said ‘I don’t accept it, but I understand’.
‘Low level incident’
In mitigation, defence solicitor Ross Donnelly said: “The accused is a teacher of 40 years experience – he started his career in 1982.
“For a time he led teacher training.
“He has a superb record as a teacher.
“He is retired but remains on the teaching register.
“It is his intention to remain registered so he can pick up work as a supply teacher.
“I would submit that this is a low level incident.
“Given his record as a teacher and his lack of a (criminal) record your lordship might be able to take an exceptional view on how this is disposed of.”
Admonition an ‘exceptional step’
Admonishing McInnes, Sheriff John Rafferty said: “Any assault on a child is something the court has to take very seriously, even more so when it is committed by someone in a position of trust.
“You have a superb record as a teacher, which is not only unblemished but good.
“You held position of head of teacher training.”
He added: “In these circumstances I will take the exceptional step of admonishing you.”
McInnes admitted assaulting a child at a school in Dundee – which cannot be named – by holding them by the clothing on December 3, 2019.
