RE teacher had affair with teenage pupil behind wife's back

A RELIGIOUS education teacher carried on an affair with a teenage pupil on a school trip even though his wife was on the same holiday.

Another member of staff from the Midlothian school was worried that the girl was following Thomas Docherty, 51, "like a love-sick puppy" but did not guess what was happening, a sheriff was told yesterday.

Fiscal Melanie Ward, prosecuting, said Docherty of Innerleithen, taught religion, morals and philosophy at Newbattle High School but quit his principal teacher post when the two-year affair was finally exposed.

The girl, now a 21-year-old student, was only 16 when Docherty first began to pay attention to her, taking her for trips in his car to deserted spots at Gladhouse Reservoir, near Gorebridge, and taking her to his home for sex while his wife was out.

At his suggestion, she went to her doctor to be put on the pill.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, Docherty pleaded guilty to two charges brought under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000.

He admitted engaging in sexual activity and having sexual intercourse with the girl while she was between 16 and 18 years old and he was in a position of trust.

The girl was described in court as "vulnerable" and "naive," seeking a father figure.

First offender Docherty faces sentencing next month when background reports have been prepared.

Solicitor Andrew Gibb, defending Docherty, said: "He accepts it was folly on his part and he accepts the responsibility."

Ms Ward told how Docherty and the girl came into contact at school and also during organised out-of-school activities, such as barbecues.

In August 2005, she returned to school after the summer to find she had not done as well as she hoped and he offered help.

Docherty also ran martial arts classes at the school and asked her to help him put equipment away so she remained behind when others had left. As she returned to his classroom to collect her books, he slipped his hand down her trousers.

Ms Ward said in November 2005 the girl went to see a guidance teacher to say she was receiving "unwarranted attention" but refused to name Docherty and later withdrew the claim.

She repeated her complaint in February this year and police were called in.

The court heard that in May 2006 the girl was on "exam leave" when Docherty picker her up, took her home and they had full sex for the first time.

A month later, she was in Barcelona on a school trip led by Docherty.

"There were other teachers there. One of them was concerned about her behaviour because she appeared to be following the accused around like a love-sick puppy," said Ms Ward.

The following June, Docherty took his wife along on a school trip to Rome.

Again, there were worries that she was "over-familiar" with Docherty but no-one knew what was going on. The court heard that after she left school, the girl and Docherty would meet up.

Sheriff Alistair Noble added Docherty's name to the sex offenders' register and allowed him to remain on bail pending sentence.