GAVIN ATKINSON SHOCKS DUMFRIES WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ABUSE IN EDINBURGH SCHOOL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Gavin Atkinson, a 58-year-old former science teacher from Dumfries, was found guilty of serious misconduct involving a 13-year-old student at an Edinburgh school. The court proceedings revealed a series of troubling incidents where Atkinson assaulted and made inappropriate sexual remarks towards young pupils.

According to court reports, Atkinson repeatedly pushed a 13-year-old boy and used his body to block the doorway, pressing his knee against the student's shoulder in a manner that caused distress and physical discomfort. The boy, now aged 16, recounted that he was told to wait behind after school for detention, but when he attempted to leave the classroom to meet his mother in the school’s car park, Atkinson intervened.

The young witness described how he tried to pass by Atkinson, who responded by pushing him again. The boy attempted to crawl through Atkinson’s legs to escape, but the teacher grabbed him by the shoulders and chest, making a comment about his weight, saying, “You are not going to move 18 stone.” The incident escalated as Atkinson used his knee to pin the boy’s shoulder against the door, causing the boy to sustain an injury that later required treatment at the Sick Kids’ Hospital, where his arm was placed in a sling.

Further testimony from another pupil detailed an incident involving a girl who climbed onto a work surface to open a window and began dancing. The girl was reportedly subjected to inappropriate comments from Atkinson, who remarked on her pink tights and polka dot pants. The teacher claimed that the girl was being disruptive, showing off, and refusing to come down, and that his comment about her underwear was intended to embarrass her into behaving.

During the trial, Atkinson defended his actions by asserting that the girl was being disruptive and that his remarks were meant to shame her into calming down. However, the court found his explanations unconvincing. Sheriff Michael O’Grady QC, presiding over the case, stated that Atkinson’s demeanor was “strangely and wholly unconvincing or credible.” The sheriff also praised the testimonies of the pupils, describing them as convincing and credible, noting that both students were willing to admit certain aspects of their own behavior.

Following the guilty verdict, the court deferred sentencing until May 27 to allow for the preparation of a social work report. In addition to the conviction, Atkinson was ordered to register as a sex offender, reflecting the severity of the charges and the court’s concern for the safety of pupils in educational environments. The case has raised serious questions about safeguarding and the conduct of educators, especially those with a history of misconduct, in schools across Edinburgh and beyond.