Court / Police commend bravery of girls after man found guilty of sexual offences whilst working as teacher
A MAN from Sandwick is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with two pupils while working as a secondary teacher.
Thirty five year old Kieran Malcolmson was convicted by a jury of two charges against two secondary aged girls during a trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
He was found guilty of being in a position of trust as a schoolteacher and engaging in sexual activity other than sexual intercourse with or directed towards a pupil in 2009.
Malcolmson was also found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with or directed towards another pupil at a school in 2018.
His bail was continued and sentence was deferred until next month to allow a social work report to be prepared.
Detective Sergeant Bruce Peebles from Lerwick CID commented on Saturday: “There is no doubt that Malcolmson manipulated his position as a teacher to target senior female pupils, in situations which were wholly unprofessional for any school teacher.
“I commend the bravery and honesty of the young women who came forward during the enquiry and reported what had occurred.
“Malcolmson’s conviction sends out a clear message that all crimes of a sexual nature, no matter when they occurred, will be robustly investigated by Police Scotland and where a sufficiency of evidence exists, crimes will be reported for consideration of prosecution in court.
“I would take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual crimes in the past to report this to the police. Your report will be treated sensitively, we will listen, and crimes will be investigated thoroughly.”
If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595744524 or 0800 1601985
Web: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-shetland/
Email: VictimSupportHighlandsIslands@victimsupportsco.org.uk
For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:
Space2face
Phone: 07564 832467
Web: https://www.space2face.org
Email: info@space2face.org
For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org
The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org
For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk
Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006
