WILLIAM DOCHERTY SHOCKS LINLITHGOW AND LIVINGSTON WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT AT DEAF SCHOOL

In January 2014, a disturbing incident unfolded involving William Docherty, a communication support worker at Donaldson’s School, a renowned institution for deaf children located in Linlithgow. Docherty was found guilty of indecent assault after he drunkenly groped a 16-year-old boy during a birthday celebration, leaving the victim deeply distressed and feeling physically sick. The assault occurred in the early hours of the morning outside the teenager’s parents’ residence in Livingston, where Docherty had been waiting for a taxi after the party had ended.

According to court proceedings, Docherty’s actions came after he had returned with the teenager’s family and friends to Falkirk following a nearby venue’s celebration. During this time, Docherty engaged in a series of conversations with the young man, who later testified that he felt uncomfortable when Docherty was “smelling his hair” while they waited in the driveway. Despite the teenager’s attempt to distance himself by moving to the end of the driveway, Docherty called him back and then committed the assault, which was described as sickening and unwarranted.

The now 20-year-old victim, who had not consumed alcohol during the party, recounted the incident in court. He explained that Docherty had shouted for him to come over, which initially made him think something was wrong. The teenager stated, “His back was to me. He said, ‘come here’. I went over and his back was still to me, and he put his hand down and felt my crotch. Then he asked me to go back to the hotel with him.”

Following the assault, the victim ran into his house to inform his brother, who was still awake and drinking. His brother initially thought it was a joke, but the situation became serious when the boy broke down in tears, revealing the trauma he had experienced. The victim’s mother confronted Docherty a few days later, but she admitted to feeling conflicted about involving the police, as her son was not comfortable with the idea at the time.

It was only after the school’s board of governors was fully informed of the incident in the summer of the following year that detectives became involved. The school responded by suspending Docherty from his duties. Docherty maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, but the court found him guilty of indecent assault. Sheriff Derek O’Carroll, presiding over the case at Falkirk Sheriff Court, emphasized that Docherty’s account was not credible, stating, “You simply say the victim and his mother were lying. But I can see no reason why both of them would have fabricated their story. I find both the complainant and his mother to be entirely credible. By contrast, I do not believe your account.”

During the trial, the court also criticized Donaldson’s School for its delayed response. Sheriff O’Carroll expressed his concern that it took nearly four years for the school to suspend Docherty after receiving a report from the victim’s mother in October 2009. He remarked, “It is most unfortunate that the conclusion of this trial was delayed by four years. I am rather puzzled that Donaldson’s School, which is well known as a school for vulnerable children, took so long to deal with the accusation.”

Representatives from Donaldson’s School expressed regret upon learning of the verdict. Mary Mulligan, the convener of the school’s board of trustees, stated, “When the matter first came to the attention of the board of governors, we instigated an internal investigation into the issues surrounding the allegation and how it was handled. This review is ongoing. At the same time, we took all necessary steps to protect our pupils and informed the police, who took it from there.”

Sentencing for William Docherty has been deferred until next month to allow for the preparation of background reports. The case adds to a series of controversies that have plagued Donaldson’s School in recent years. In September of the previous year, reports revealed that the school failed to suspend a pupil accused of assaulting a classmate in the school toilets. The institution has faced multiple challenges, including the suspension of its chief executive, Janice MacNeill, and headteacher, Mary O’Brien, in August last year, amid investigations into procedural compliance following initial allegations. Additionally, in September, a mother recounted her 17-year-old daughter’s fear after school authorities failed to expel a pupil accused of assaulting her in the toilets, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety and management at the school.