Richard Greenwood was found guilty after a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
A teacher at an Edinburgh private school who restrained a child’s wrists and ankles with cable ties has been given an absolute discharge by a sheriff.
Richard Greenwood, also known as Robin, was found guilty of one count of assault against a boy on Friday, June 26, after a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The 46-year-old was found not guilty of a separate assault charge and given an absolute discharge in respect of the guilty verdict, which means it will not result in a sentence or merit a formal criminal record, reports Edinburgh Live.
Greenwood, lead teacher of chemistry at Merchiston Castle School, where boarding fees are nearly £17k per term, told the court he was still employed in his role and that his employers are aware of the case after he told them about the charge at the end of 2024.
The incident on August 23, 2023, at an address in Edinburgh, did not relate to any pupils at the school, or take place on the school’s grounds.
The court heard how the victim, now aged nine, was tied by his wrists and ankles with cable ties, which Greenwood said was part of a ‘cops and robbers’ game.
During evidence he told the court the cable ties were used instead of for toy handcuffs which had previously been left on a cabinet downstairs. The child, who was six at the time, was restrained with cable ties around his hands and ankles.
Greenwood told the court the incident was part of a game and distraction technique to get the child to calm down after he ran out onto the road and also tried to climb out of a window.
He told the court: “I recall him being distressed on the evening. He opened the front door and ran onto the road towards the bus stop. I ran after him and returned to the house. I feared for his safety.
“He then escaped out the back of the house and onto the street. I locked the front door and put the key on top of a cabinet. He then tried to get the key from the top of the cabinet and tried to climb out the bathroom window. I was pretty calm and not shouting, but I remember saying to him ‘you’re going to kill yourself’.”
Greenwood then tried distracting the child with the TV, but then turned to play-wrestling which he said left the child “giggling.” Greenwood then used cable ties, as a pair of child handcuffs were missing from the cabinet, and told the boy “you’re under arrest” to which he claimed the boy held out his hands.
He was then restrained with the cable ties around his wrists and then his ankles – describing the child as a “wiggling like a worm.” However, Greenwood admitted he then realised the “connotations” surrounding the use of cable ties in the game and freed the boy by cutting him loose with scissors.
He said: “It was just a game. He was in cable ties for no more than two minutes until I realised the connotations of the game and took them off immediately. I agree it doesn’t sound good and it was a mistake but I never meant any harm.
Greenwood added: “Looking back on the cable tie incident I feel really stupid and naive,” when questioned by the fiscal depute if there was any malice involved, to which he replied: “absolutely not.”
Before delivering a guilty verdict to an amended charge, Sheriff McCormack added: “It was a brief episode but a child cannot consent. This conduct of tying up a child was an assault, albeit a brief one with no lasting effect.
He acknowledged the impact a conviction on Greenwood’s record would have on his job and income and granted him an absolute discharge.
A Merchiston Castle School spokesperson said: “Merchiston Castle School notes today’s court verdict. The case did not involve any pupils or any allegation connected to the school. The matter related entirely to circumstances outside any professional setting.
“When the school was made aware of the charges, it followed its safeguarding procedures and sought appropriate specialist advice. Decisions regarding Mr Greenwood’s employment were made throughout in line with the school’s safeguarding responsibilities, legal obligations and the advice received.
“As this concerns an individual member of staff’s employment, it would not be appropriate to comment further while employment processes are ongoing.”
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