THOMAS DOCHERTY FROM DALKEITH AND INNERLEITHEN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING TEENAGE PUPIL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local communities of Dalkeith and Innerleithen, Thomas Docherty, a 51-year-old former religious education teacher, has been sentenced for engaging in a sexual relationship with a teenage pupil. The incident, which took place over nearly two years, led to Docherty’s resignation from his teaching position at a high school in Dalkeith after the relationship was uncovered.

Docherty, who hails from Innerleithen, appeared before Edinburgh Sheriff Court where he received a sentence of 240 hours of community service. The court proceedings revealed that in May, Docherty admitted to having sexual intercourse with the pupil, who was between 16 and 18 years old at the time, while he was in a position of trust and authority. The inappropriate relationship spanned from August 2005 to June 2007, during which Docherty took advantage of his role as a teacher to pursue a relationship with the vulnerable girl.

Details presented during the hearing indicated that Docherty had taken the girl to his home for sexual encounters while his wife was away. The court described the girl as “vulnerable” and “naive,” seeking a paternal figure, which seemingly made her susceptible to Docherty’s predatory behavior. The case highlighted the breach of trust inherent in the relationship, with Sheriff Alistair Noble emphasizing the seriousness of the offences. In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Noble stated, “You appear as someone who has committed offences of exceptional seriousness involving a gross breach of trust between yourself and a schoolgirl who you taught.

“However, matters progressed when the complainer was 16 and you were 46, and in terms of the narrative I heard, your initial actions were clearly of a predatory nature. The complainer was a vulnerable school girl.”

While the decision to sentence Docherty was narrow, the sheriff opted for a probation period of three years, during which Docherty is required to attend a community sex offenders’ program. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for the same duration. Docherty’s wife, who has publicly supported him, was present in court during the proceedings.

Prosecutor Melanie Ward, a fiscal depute, outlined that Docherty and the girl had come into contact both at school and during organized activities outside of school hours. It was also revealed that Docherty ran martial arts classes at the school and had asked the girl to assist him in putting away equipment, which resulted in her remaining behind after others had left.

Defending solicitor Andrew Gibb stated, “He has never been in trouble in his life. He has brought shame on himself for his conduct. His wife and family are standing by him. It is more than he deserves in many ways.” The case underscores the gravity of breaches of trust by educators and the profound impact such misconduct has on victims and their communities.