EDINBURGH TEACHER RICHARD GREENWOOD AVOIDS JAIL AFTER CABLE TIE RESTRAINT OF CHILD
A senior educator at an Edinburgh private school, who restrained a child's wrists and ankles with cable ties, has received an absolute discharge from a sheriff.Richard Greenwood, also known as Robin, was convicted of a single count of assault against a boy on Friday, June 26, after a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
He was acquitted of an additional assault charge and given an absolute discharge for the guilty verdict, meaning he will not face a sentence or have a formal criminal record.
Greenwood, who teaches chemistry at Merchiston Castle School, informed the court that he remains employed there and that his employers have been made aware of the case, having been notified by him when he was charged at the end of 2024.
The allegations 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 up with cable ties around his wrists and ankles—something Greenwood said 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 left in a cabinet downstairs.
The incident occurred on August 23, 2023, at a residence in Edinburgh, where a six-year-old child was restrained with cable ties.
Greenwood maintained that it was part of a game intended to distract the child and help him calm down after he ran into the road and tried to climb out of a window.
He recounted: "I remember him being distressed that evening.
He opened the front door and ran onto the road towards the bus stop.
I followed him back into the house.
I was worried about his safety.
Then he ran out the back and onto the street.
I locked the front door and placed the key on top of a cabinet." He described how the child later attempted to retrieve the key and climb out of a bathroom window.
Greenwood said he was calm and did not shout but told the boy, "you're going to kill yourself." Greenwood tried to distract the boy with television, then engaged in play-wrestling, which he claimed made the child giggle.
He then used cable ties, noting that a pair of child-sized handcuffs was missing from the cabinet, and jokingly told the boy, "you're under arrest," claiming the boy responded by holding out his hands.
The child was then restrained with cable ties on his wrists and ankles—Greenwood described him as "wiggling like a worm." However, Greenwood admitted that he later recognized the problematic 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 cable ties for no more than two minutes until I realized the connotations and removed them immediately.
I know it doesn't look good and it was a mistake, but I never intended to harm." When questioned by the prosecution about whether there was any malice involved, Greenwood responded: "Absolutely not," adding, "Looking back, I feel really stupid and naive." Before issuing a guilty verdict on an amended charge, Sheriff McCormack commented: "It was a brief episode, but a child cannot consent.
Binding a child like that constitutes assault, even if only for a short time and with no lasting harm." The sheriff acknowledged the potential consequences a conviction could have on Greenwood's employment and income and therefore granted him an absolute discharge.
A school spokesman from Merchiston Castle School said: "We note today's court decision.
The case did not involve any students or relate to any allegations connected to the school itself.
The matter was entirely outside of any professional context." "When the school was informed of the charges, it adhered to its safeguarding procedures and sought expert advice." "Decisions regarding Mr Greenwood's employment were made in line with safeguarding policies, legal responsibilities, and the guidance received." "As this concerns a staff member's employment, it is not appropriate to comment further while employment procedures are ongoing."
