Head teacher fined for assaults

Taylor denied the assault allegations during the trial

An Aberdeen primary school head teacher found guilty of assaulting two pupils has been fined £750 and placed on the sex offenders' register.

Catherine Taylor, 47, had denied assaulting 10 children over many years.

She was earlier found guilty of grabbing a boy by his genitals and assaulting a girl, after her trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

The mother of the girl said: "She should have been locked up. It feels as though she has got away with it."

Sheriff Graeme Buchanan placed Taylor on the sex offenders' register for five years.

That's the real punishment of the tragedy, that she has got herself into this position at a relatively young age and her teaching career is over Sheriff Graeme Buchanan

Sheriff Buchanan earlier found her not guilty of eight other charges.

The sheriff had said grabbing the boy's genitals was behaviour designed to shock and humiliate in front of fellow pupils.

He said her actions were unnatural, improper and grossly excessive.

Defending, Andrew Gibb said: "She still maintains what was given in her evidence. She will be struck off the teaching register and referred to the Scottish Executive protection of children list."

Taylor 'happy'

Sheriff Buchanan said: "The tone of the reports suggest she is to be criticised for not accepting responsibility.

"Given her position during the trial it is of no surprise she will not confess to her guilt.

"That's the real punishment of the tragedy, that she has got herself into this position at a relatively young age and her teaching career is over."

Taylor left the court without comment.

Mr Gibb added: "She is just relieved that the trial is over and happy with the sentence."

During the earlier evidence, the boy had said his face went red when Taylor took hold of his genitals.

Taylor told the court the majority of the primary school's pupils came from stable backgrounds, but a number of children came from home environments that could be described as "chaotic".

When asked if the allegations were things she would do, she replied: "Never, I would not have done it at all, whether there were children present or not."

The school is not being named for legal reasons.