Former head teacher at Perth boarding school guilty of molesting former pupils

The former headmaster at a Perth boarding school has been found guilty of molesting two pupils more than 40 years ago.

David Cowling denied the abuse, which took place when he was in charge of Balnacraig School.

At Perth Sheriff Court the jury of nine men and six women unanimously found him guilty of embracing one girl before kissing her in an inappropriate manner and touching her inappropriately.

They also found the 76-year-old guilty by majority verdict of entering the bedroom of a second girl lying on her bed, placing a hand on her hip and then carrying out a solo sex act.

Both offences took place in the 1970s when the victims were in their teens.

The court had earlier accepted a plea of no case to answer in relation to an assault charge.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis deferred sentence on Cowling, of May Place, Perth, until next month for reports to be obtained.

See Friday’s Courier for more on this story.