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Head teacher assaulted two pupils Head teacher assaulted two pupils
(20 minutes later)
An Aberdeen primary school head teacher has been found guilty of assaulting two pupils.An Aberdeen primary school head teacher has been found guilty of assaulting two pupils.
Catherine Taylor, 46, denied assaulting 10 children over several years at the school. Catherine Taylor, 46, denied assaulting 10 children over several years.
The head teacher was found guilty of grabbing a boy by his private parts, and also of assaulting a girl. The head teacher was found guilty of grabbing a boy by his genitals and placed on the sex offenders' register. Taylor also assaulted a girl.
Sheriff Graeme Buchanan found her not guilty of eight other charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Sentence on Taylor was deferred for reports.Sheriff Graeme Buchanan found her not guilty of eight other charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Sentence on Taylor was deferred for reports.
During the earlier evidence, the boy had said his face went red when Taylor took hold of his private parts. The sheriff said grabbing the boy's genitals was behaviour designed to shock and humiliate in front of fellow pupils.
Another witness claimed Taylor pulled his trousers down and held him upside down as punishment for teasing another boy. He said her actions were unnatural, improper and grossly excessive.
The boy said he had been "completely embarrassed" and that his time at primary school had been "a living hell". During the earlier evidence, the boy had said his face went red when Taylor took hold of his genitals.
Aberdeen City Council acknowledges that this has been a difficult time for the school Council spokesman
Taylor told the court the majority of the primary school's pupils came from stable backgrounds, but a number of children came from home environments that could be described as "chaotic".Taylor told the court the majority of the primary school's pupils came from stable backgrounds, but a number of children came from home environments that could be described as "chaotic".
When asked if the allegations were things she would do, she replied: "Never, I would not have done it at all, whether there were children present or not."When asked if the allegations were things she would do, she replied: "Never, I would not have done it at all, whether there were children present or not."
In her closing submission, Depute Fiscal Helen Knipe said what Taylor had done went beyond reasonable force or chastisement.In her closing submission, Depute Fiscal Helen Knipe said what Taylor had done went beyond reasonable force or chastisement.
Andrew Gibb, defending, said some of the witnesses were not credible nor reliable.Andrew Gibb, defending, said some of the witnesses were not credible nor reliable.
Reasonable chastisement
He argued that in many of the charges there was no criminal intent and others fell into the category of reasonable chastisement.He argued that in many of the charges there was no criminal intent and others fell into the category of reasonable chastisement.
Sheriff Buchanan said a prosecution required proof the teacher acted with "evil intent".Sheriff Buchanan said a prosecution required proof the teacher acted with "evil intent".
The school is not being named for legal reasons.The school is not being named for legal reasons.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: "In light of this case, a new policy for reporting concerns on child protection was quickly implemented at the school and all staff have since been given child protection training.
"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage on internal staffing matters.
"Aberdeen City Council acknowledges that this has been a difficult time for the school and the wider community.
"We would like to reassure parents that continuity of education and the children's learning experience has remained a priority throughout."