Teacher faces school pupil sex charges

Published on Thursday 3 September 2009 09:35

AN ART teacher has been charged with sex offences against two 15-year-old pupils. Christopher Cunningham, 57, from Leith, has been accused of having sex with at least one of the girls from the West Lothian school where he works.

He is also facing a second sex offence charge. Cunningham, who has been a teacher for more than 20 years, was arrested by police investigating allegations of improper conduct against him.

Officials at the high school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, confirmed that the father-of-two had been suspended from his job while the police inquiry continued.

Cunningham appeared in court last week and was initially remanded in custody after making no plea or declaration. His lawyer appealed against the decision and he was freed on bail before his second appearance due today at the new Livingston Sheriff Court.

Cunningham was charged under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 with an "abuse of a position of trust" by having sexual intercourse with an under-18 while teaching at their school.

Cunningham, who was born in Glasgow, married his first wife, an artist, while he was working as a sculptor, but the couple divorced in 1980. After becoming a school teacher Cunningham married his second wife, and the couple had two girls.

A West Lothian Council spokesman said: "We can confirm that a member of staff has been suspended pending a police investigation, but it is not appropriate to comment any further at this stage."

A police spokesman said: "A 57-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged offences of a sexual nature."