EDINBURGH TEACHER RICHARD GREENWOOD AVOIDS PRISON AFTER CHILD RESTRAINT INCIDENT
A distinguished teacher at an independent school in Edinburgh, who used cable ties to restrain a child's wrists and ankles, has received an absolute discharge from a sheriff's court.Richard Greenwood, also known as Robin, was convicted of a single count of assault against a young boy on Friday, June 26, after a trial held at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The 46-year-old was acquitted of another assault charge and was given an absolute discharge regarding the guilty verdict, meaning he will not serve a sentence or have a criminal record as a result.
Greenwood, who teaches chemistry at Merchiston Castle School—where boarding costs exceed £16,000 per term—told the court that he is still employed in his position and that his employer is aware of the case, having been informed by Greenwood himself when he was charged at the end of 2024.
Importantly, the charges did not involve any students at the school, nor did they occur on school premises.
The court heard that the victim, now nine years old, was tied with cable ties on his wrists and ankles—an act Greenwood claimed was part of a "cops and robbers" game.
During testimony, Greenwood explained that the cable ties were used as a substitute for toy handcuffs that had previously been stored in a cabinet downstairs.
The incident occurred on August 23, 2023, at a residence in Edinburgh, where the six-year-old child was restrained with cable ties around his limbs.
Greenwood described the event as part of a game and a distraction method to calm the boy after he ran onto the road and attempted to climb out of a window.
He recounted: "I remember him being upset that evening.
He opened the front door and ran toward the bus stop.
I chased after him and returned to the house.
I was worried about his safety.
He then escaped out the back of the house onto the street.
I locked the front door and put the key on top of a cabinet.
He tried to get the key from the cabinet and attempted to climb out of the bathroom window.
I stayed calm, not shouting, but I told him, 'you're going to kill yourself.'" Greenwood then tried to distract the child with television but switched to play-wrestling, which he said made the boy "giggling." As the cable ties had no other pair of toy handcuffs available, Greenwood used them to restrain the boy, jokingly telling him, "you're under arrest," to which the boy reportedly held out his hands.
He then bound the child's wrists and ankles with cable ties, describing the boy as "wiggling like a worm." Greenwood admitted he then realized the implications of using cable ties in this context and freed the boy by cutting them off with scissors.
He stated: "It was just a game.
He was in the cable ties for no more than two minutes until I realised what the game could imply, and I removed them immediately.
I agree it doesn't look good and was a mistake, but I meant no harm." When asked whether there was any malicious intent, Greenwood replied: "absolutely not," describing himself as feeling "really stupid and naive" in retrospect.
Before issuing a verdict of guilty on an amended charge, Sheriff McCormack noted: "It was a brief episode, but a child cannot give consent.
Tying up a child in this manner was an assault, even if brief and with no lasting consequences." Recognizing the potential impact a criminal record could have on Greenwood's career and livelihood, the sheriff decided to grant him an absolute discharge.
A spokesperson for Merchiston Castle School commented: "The school acknowledges today's court decision.
The case did not involve any pupils or any allegations connected to the school premises.
It concerned circumstances outside any professional setting.
When the school was made aware of the charges, it followed its safeguarding protocols and sought advice from specialists.
Decisions regarding Mr Greenwood's employment have been made in accordance with safeguarding responsibilities, legal obligations, and the advice received.
As this involves an individual staff member's employment, further comment is not appropriate while employment procedures are ongoing."
