TEACHER SENT SEX SNAPCHATS TO SCHOOLGIRL, 15, HE TUTORED AND INVITED HER TO HOTEL
A teacher at a high school is potentially facing prison after engaging in sexual communication and sharing explicit images via Snapchat with a 15-year-old girl, as well as attempting to persuade her to meet him at a hotel.James Connal, aged 31, who teaches mathematics at Larbert High School in Stirlingshire, allegedly groomed the girl during private lessons at her residence.
The girl was not a student at his school, and his contact was established after he was given her phone number to coordinate tutoring sessions.
During a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, the jury was informed that initial interactions appeared harmless but quickly escalated within a couple of weeks into inappropriate behavior.
Connal reportedly sent her messages throughout the day, including during school hours, complimenting her appearance and expressing eagerness to meet her.
He then added her on Snapchat, where he sent selfies of himself topless, with his hand inside his trousers, and asked if she wanted to see something hard.
He also inquired whether he could put his hand down her top.
The girl testified that Connal had tried to kiss her twice when he arrived for lessons, and he had instructed her to delete certain messages.
The girl, now 18, was tutored by Connal from early October 2021 until November 28th, 2021.
Her mother discovered disturbing messages on her phone that day, canceled their scheduled lesson, and involved the police.
Some of the explicit images, taken in his classroom, displayed his distinctive tattoos.
Because Snapchat only transmits freshly taken photos, the prosecution inferred that some images had been sent live from the school.
Connal, a resident of Hallglen, Falkirk, denied charges related to indecent communication and encouraging the girl to view sexual images.
He did not testify but claimed that others might have sent the messages and images.
The prosecutor advised the jury to exercise common sense, asserting that the evidence clearly pointed to Connal as the sender, dismissing the possibility of another individual being responsible.
Regarding his suggestion to meet in Edinburgh, the prosecution indicated that it implied potential plans of meeting in a hotel.
After a swift two-day trial, the jury, taking less than 15 minutes to deliberate, convicted Connal by majority on January 24.
He was also found guilty of breaching police bail conditions.
Connal displayed no emotional reaction when the verdicts were delivered.
