Teacher who sent pupil intimate texts ordered to do unpaid work

David Vincent was sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court

A teacher who repeatedly sent intimate text messages to a pupil has been ordered to carry out unpaid community work.

David Vincent gave the teenager his phone number, sent her a Valentine's card and told her he loved her while he was working as a physics teacher at Inverness' Charleston Academy.

The teenager, who is now over 18 and no longer at school, reported him to police last November after realising she had been groomed.

Appearing at Inverness Sheriff Court, Vincent was given a community payback order with 18 months supervision and a requirement to perform 120 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard how Vincent's criminal behaviour happened over the course of 18 months.

His name has now been added to the sex offenders register for 18 months.

A lifelong non-harassment order preventing him from contacting, or attempting to contact, the victim was also granted.

Last month, he pleaded guilty to a sexual abuse of trust charge.

Alison McKenzie, procurator fiscal for Grampian, Highland and Islands, said the prosecution was made possible thanks to the victim reporting her experience.

She said: "David Vincent exploited a position of trust and an unbalanced power dynamic to systematically groom and abuse a vulnerable child.

"She should have been safe under his care but was sexually exploited over the course of several months."

Ms McKenzie said Vincent had been "held accountable".

She added that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service would continue to take action against people who harmed women and children, while supporting those affected by the crimes.

Highland Council said all teaching staff were expected to maintain the standards within the General Teaching Council Scotland's code of conduct, as well as child protection and safeguarding requirements.