BRUCE RANKIN STRATHAVEN TEACHER SENTENCED FOR YEARS OF ABUSE IN LANARKSHIRE

In August 2020, Bruce Rankin, a former physical education teacher from Strathaven, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after admitting to abusing two additional vulnerable pupils, adding to his previous convictions. The case was heard at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where Sheriff Douglas Brown emphasized the gravity of Rankin’s misconduct and the breach of trust involved.

Details emerged that Rankin, aged 61 at the time, had engaged in inappropriate and abusive behavior towards two young girls between the years 2007 and 2010. One of the victims, who was between 13 and 15 years old at the time, was suffering from bullying, while the other was battling depression. The court heard how Rankin would often attempt to comfort these girls, but his actions crossed boundaries into abuse. For instance, he would cuddle one girl and even use nicknames for her, which was deemed highly inappropriate given the context.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Rankin had previously admitted to abusing three other young girls between 2010 and 2014, including incidents at the school where he was employed. His misconduct was not an isolated event; it spanned several years and involved multiple victims. Sheriff Brown condemned such behavior, stating, “The court has to make plain that such behaviour by a teacher is completely unacceptable and must be dealt with severely. Given the serious nature of the offences, the only appropriate sentence is imprisonment.”

Rankin’s criminal history includes a prior conviction in 2017, when he was sentenced to 18 months in jail for similar offenses. However, that sentence was later overturned on appeal, and he was instead placed under supervision for three years and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work. Despite the seriousness of his actions, the court acknowledged that the previous sentence was reduced because of his guilty pleas. Additionally, it was disclosed that Rankin had a written warning from a former school dating back to 2012, following complaints of inappropriate touching and comments.

Further details from the case indicated that Rankin’s misconduct included touching victims inappropriately, such as placing his arms around them, touching their breasts through clothing, and rubbing their thighs. One victim, who was 16 at the time, was studying alone in the school library when Rankin would join her, often touching her leg and rubbing her thigh on multiple occasions. She responded by slamming a book down in an attempt to deter him, but the inappropriate behavior persisted.

Rankin’s actions came to light after victims and others learned of his previous conviction, prompting them to come forward. The victims’ courage in speaking out led to further charges and his subsequent sentencing. The court also ordered Rankin to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of 10 years, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

In his defense, Rankin expressed remorse, but the court maintained that his breaches of trust and repeated misconduct warranted a custodial sentence. Sheriff Brown emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable students and upholding the integrity of the teaching profession. The case has drawn widespread condemnation, with organizations such as NSPCC Scotland condemning Rankin’s betrayal of trust and highlighting the long-lasting impact on his victims. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded in Scotland, especially when committed by individuals in positions of authority and care.