DUMFRIES TEACHER EPPIE SPRUNG DAWSON CAUGHT IN SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENT

Eppie Sprung Dawson, a 27-year-old educator based in Dumfries, found herself at the center of a serious incident involving a minor student. The events unfolded shortly after the Christmas holiday break at St Joseph’s College, where Dawson was employed as a teacher.

According to reports, police officers responded to a call and approached a vehicle parked in a lay-by following a school dance. When they arrived, both Dawson and the 17-year-old pupil were discovered in a state of partial undress, which raised immediate concerns. While the relationship itself was not deemed illegal due to the pupil being above the age of consent, the authorities quickly identified a breach of professional conduct. Dawson herself admitted to violating her position of trust as an educator, which is considered a serious misconduct even if no criminal offense was committed in terms of legality.

It was revealed that Dawson had been working at St Joseph’s College for several years, providing additional tuition to the student for dyslexia. She had been the pupil’s teacher for four years, and the relationship appeared to have developed beyond the boundaries of a professional teacher-student dynamic. Dawson was married at the time, having been with her spouse, Ranald Dawson—son of the late Lord Dawson—for three years.

During the court proceedings, it was disclosed that Dawson had herself experienced abuse during her teenage years, between the ages of 13 and 18. This personal history was acknowledged as a factor in her actions, but it did not mitigate the breach of trust she committed. Sheriff George Jamieson sentenced her to a community payback order, requiring her to perform unpaid work in the community. Additionally, she was ordered to undergo psychosexual counseling and was placed on the sex offenders’ register. The court also mandated that she remain under social work supervision for a period of six months.

The judge emphasized the gravity of her breach of trust, noting that if Dawson had not been a teacher, her actions might not have constituted a criminal offense. However, the impact on her personal and professional life was profound, leading to the loss of her career and her marriage. The case highlights the serious consequences of breaches of professional boundaries, especially within educational settings, and underscores the importance of safeguarding the integrity of teacher-student relationships.