Richard Greenwood, a 46-year-old chemistry teacher at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, has been granted an absolute discharge by a sheriff after being found guilty of assaulting a six-year-old boy by tying his wrists and ankles with cable ties. The verdict was delivered on Friday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, following a trial in which Greenwood was acquitted of a separate assault charge.
Incident Details
The court heard that the incident occurred on August 23, 2023, at an address in Edinburgh. The child, now nine years old, was restrained with cable ties at the age of six. Greenwood claimed the restraint was part of a "cops and robbers" game and a distraction technique to calm the boy after he ran into the road and attempted to climb out of a window.
Greenwood testified: "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 added that the child tried to retrieve the key and attempted to climb out of a bathroom window, prompting Greenwood to say, "you're going to kill yourself."
Game or Assault?
Greenwood said he attempted to calm the boy by distracting him with television and play-wrestling, which left the child "giggling." He then used cable ties because a pair of toy handcuffs were missing, telling the boy he was "under arrest." The child held out his hands and was restrained at the wrists and ankles, with Greenwood describing him as "wiggling like a worm." However, Greenwood said he soon realized the "connotations" of using cable ties and cut the boy free with scissors after no more than two minutes.
He stated: "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 asked by the fiscal depute if there was any malice involved, he replied: "Absolutely not."
Court Decision
Sheriff McCormack delivered a guilty verdict on an amended charge, noting: "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." The sheriff acknowledged the impact a conviction would have on Greenwood's job and income and granted him an absolute discharge, meaning no sentence or formal criminal record will be imposed.
Greenwood remains employed as lead teacher of chemistry at Merchiston Castle School, having informed the school of the case when he was charged at the end of 2024. The charges did not involve any pupils or take place on school grounds.
School Response
A spokesperson for Merchiston Castle School 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."
