Female teacher appears in court of pupil affair

 

By Emma Muir (NW)

 

 

A female teacher appeared in Stirling Sheriff Court last month, charged with having an affair with a 17-year-old pupil.

 

Bernadette Smith, who lives with her husband and three children, pled not guilty to a charge of engaging in sexual activity with a male pupil.

 

Under Section 42 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, it is an offence for adults in a position of trust to engage in sexual activity with children under 18 in their care.

 

Mrs Smith, 35, who taught history and English at Bannockburn High School in Stirlingshire, was arrested on 20 September after allegations of an affair were brought to the school’s attention.

 

She is accused of kissing the teenager while lying on a bed in a state of undress. The alleged offences are believed to have occurred between 13 and 20 September at addresses in Cowie, near Stirling and Falkirk, including a park area.

 

It is understood that Smith was suspended from her teaching post after a meeting with her headteacher on Friday. It is also believed that the parents of the boy involved had met with the headteacher the previous day to raise their concerns over Mrs Smith’s conduct.

 

Mrs Smith was held in custody over the weekend. When she appeared in court she looked pale and tired.

 

Sheriff Mark Thorley told Smith: “You have pled not guilty and you will be given two dates when you need to return, bail has been granted, but with special conditions.”

 

Procurator-fiscal depute Alison Montgomery granted bail, but said the Crown sought an additional condition that Smith does not approach or contact, or try to approach or contact, the teenager involved.

 

She also said that prosecutors would be seeking an order that Smith takes part in an identification parade.