Published: Monday, 26th July, 2010 9:30am

Teacher avoids prison

by David Knox

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Thomas Docherty

A FORMER teacher from Innerleithen who had an affair with a pupil has avoided a prison stretch.

Thomas Docherty admitted at a previous hearing to having a sexual relationship with the girl during a two-year period after she had turned 16.

Last Friday, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, he was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to prison.

The 51-year-old was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for three years.

Docherty pled guilty to breaching the Sexual Offences Act by having intercourse with a student while in a position of trust.

Sheriff Noble said: "You appear to be someone who has committed offences of exceptional seriousness involving a gross breach of trust between yourself and a schoolgirl who you taught.

"I heard your initial actions were clearly one of a predatory nature. The complainer was a vulnerable schoolgirl."

Docherty began the affair with the pupil in 2005 when he taught religion and moral education at Newbattle High School in Midlothian.

A previous hearing was told how he took her to a reservoir near to the school as well as his home in the Borders for sex.

And during a school trip to Rome the affair continued under the nose of Docherty's wife, who has stood by him throughout his court appearances.

The father-of-three was also placed on probation for three years and ordered to attend a sex offenders' programme.