Ten year teacher, pupil romance ends after smack to the face

Feb 12 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A FORMER school teacher who assaulted the pupil he had an affair with has been given the benefit of the doubt by a sheriff.

Stephen Reid gave up his career when he fell in love with a 16-year-old pupil.

But when the relationship soured after 10 years, Reid lifted his hand to the young woman.

Reid, now 47, set up home with his former pupil and the couple lived together for a decade.

In October last year, they split up and Reid discovered his former partner in bed with another man.

At Ayr Sheriff Court, Reid earlier pleaded guilty to slapping the now 26-year-old in Dalmellington’s Merrick Drive.

The court was told that the woman 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 Colin Miller: “She had moved in with her mother and he had gone there with the intention of trying to part on good terms.

“But his emotions overtook him and he accepts he slapped her.

“He had been emotionally distressed since then, but he is coming to terms with the reality that the relationship is over.

“There has been no contact since and he is keen to move on.”

Deferring sentence on Reid, Sheriff Miller said: “This type of behaviour is unacceptable, although it appears to be out of character.

“I’m prepared to give you a chance to demonstrate that.”

Reid will be back in court in May, but he has been told to keep away from his former partner in the meantime.