Ex-teacher denies sex assaults on deaf children

Published on Tuesday 29 July 2008 22:58

A FORMER teacher has gone on trial charged with serious sexual offences against deaf children dating back more than 40 years.

Colin Macdonald is charged with 18 offences against victims as young as ten at camps and outdoor activity centres throughout the north of Scotland.

Macdonald, 61, is said to have plied some of the children with drink before committing offences ranging from gross indecency and sodomy to lewd and libidinous behaviour and indecent assault.

The alleged attacks are said to have happened at Glencoe, Glendoll, Aviemore, Sutherland, Mallaig, the islands of Rhum and Harris and at addresses in Hurlford, Ayrshire, and Glasgow between 1967 and 1983.

Macdonald, who is originally from the west of Scotland but now lives in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, denies all charges at the High Court in Kilmarnock.

The case was adjourned for legal debate yesterday and is expected to continue for up to ten weeks.