THOMAS BLACK EXPOSED IN DUMBARON AND FALKIRK SEX OFFENDER CASE

In a significant development at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, the court has officially recognized that Thomas Black, a former biology teacher at St Mungo’s High School in Falkirk, was responsible for a series of serious sexual offenses committed over a span of nearly two decades. The allegations, which date back from 1978 to 1995, have been substantiated through the testimonies of victims, despite Black’s inability to stand trial due to his declining health.

Thomas Black, aged 73 and residing in Dumbarton, was not physically present in court for the proceedings. Instead, the hearing was conducted as an examination of facts, where victims provided detailed accounts of the abuse they endured at his hands. The court heard that Black, who was once a respected figure in the community, exploited moments when he was alone with students in the classroom to carry out his predatory acts.

One particularly disturbing account involved a victim whose parents had paid for after-school tutoring sessions with Black. During one such session, Black allegedly used the opportunity to lock the boy in an office and sexually assault him. The victim recounted how Black would gradually move closer during lessons, eventually grabbing his genitals and making inappropriate comments such as, “Come on it’s just a bit of fun, just give me a feel.”

The victim, now 48, revealed that the trauma from these incidents has haunted him throughout his life, leading to depression and suicidal thoughts. He explained that he only disclosed the abuse in 2007 after experiencing flashbacks and nightmares, which prompted him to confide in his wife. Since then, he has undergone extensive psychiatric treatment and continues to struggle with trust issues, having no male friends and feeling overwhelming guilt.

Another victim, aged 44, shared that he was also subjected to Black’s abuse during after-hours tutoring sessions in a school office. He described how Black would lock the door and engage in inappropriate physical contact, including grabbing his leg and squeezing his genitals over his clothing. The long-term impact of these experiences has been profound, contributing to the breakdown of his marriages and ongoing emotional distress.

While Black faced four charges, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The charges include allegations of indecent assault and inappropriate touching of three different boys over several years. It is alleged that between August 1985 and May 1987, Black indecently assaulted a boy aged 15 to 17 by touching his private parts over his clothing. Further allegations state that between January 1989 and May 1991, he touched and rubbed the bodies and private parts of two other boys, aged 15 to 17 and 14 to 18, respectively. The most serious accusations involve an incident in Falkirk, where Black is alleged to have removed a boy’s clothing and committed a sexual act while traveling in a car.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Black was unable to stand trial due to his deteriorating health, which includes serious breathing and mobility issues. A previous hearing considered the possibility of a remote trial via video link from his home, but this was ultimately rejected because his health problems would cause frequent interruptions, including the need for constant toilet breaks and fatigue from medication. The court’s decision was that Black should be placed on the sex offenders register for five years, although this does not constitute a formal conviction, as no trial or verdict was reached.

Sheriff Charles Macnair emphasized that the evidence presented was sufficient to establish the allegations, even in the absence of a formal conviction. The case has cast a long shadow over the communities of Dumbarton and Falkirk, where Black’s reputation as a teacher was once well-regarded. The court’s ruling serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of abuse and the importance of justice for victims who have endured years of suffering in silence.