Former teacher pleads guilty to assault

Jan 15 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A FORMER school teacher who had an affair with a pupil has admitted assaulting her.

Stephen Reid gave up his career when he fell in love with 16-year-old Alison O’Donnell.

The controversial couple set up home together in Cumnock and stayed together for 10 years.

But weeks before Christmas, Reid, 47, caught his now 26-year partner in bed with another man.

The couple split up and Reid ended up slapping Miss O’Donnell.

At Ayr Sheriff Court this week, he pleaded guilty to assaulting her at Merrick Drive in Dalmellington.

The court was told that Miss O’Donnell was with her mother at 10am on Hogmanay.

Reid pulled up in his car, got out and approached her.

Without warning he slapped her once across the face and stated "that's for you" before getting back in his car and driving off.

Later the same day police were called to a pub in Dalmellington due to a drunk man who was refusing to leave.

Officers spoke to him and realised he was the man they were looking for.

Reid also pleaded guilty to causing a breach of the peace at Ayr police office by shouting, swearing and threatening to take his own life.

His not guilty plea to resisting arrest was accepted.

Defence lawyer Peter Lockhart told Sheriff Jack McGowan: “He caught her in bed with another man five weeks ago. He had given up everything for her and was devastated."

Sentence was deferred for background reports until next month.