Teacher ‘bought boxer shorts for boy’

A DAD told a court he confronted his son after hearing a teacher had bought underwear for him.

The 56-year-old claimed Ronald Burton, 60, gave his son presents, including boxer shorts, which he thought was “unethical”.

He told of an occasion when Burton took his son on a day trip hillwalking and returned home later than expected, that his son was illequipped and that as a result he phoned Burton’s mother for contact details before confronting the maths teacher.

The dad was giving evidence at Burton’s trial at the High Court in Glasgow where he is accused of using lewd and libidinous practices and behaviour towards a male, who cannot be identified, between August 1994 and November 1996 at a number of places in Lanarkshire, including a school.

He also faces charges of rape, sexual assault and supplying cannabis to another male between August 2013 and April 2014.

The court heard that the man separated from the alleged victim’s mother when his son was still at primary school and saw him at weekends but didn’t have a close relationship with him.

He said Burton began to tutor his son at the boy’s home.

The witness said: “It was the amount of time that he spent at the house – I actually thought it was my ex-wife that he was after.”

Advocate depute Paul Kearney, prosecuting, asked: “Were you aware of any presents being bought?” He replied: “Yes.” Asked what sort of gifts he bought his son, the witness said: “Underwear, which I questioned. I thought it was unethical.”

The witness added: “They spent a lot of time together. Most weekends he was with me but during the week it was most times after school.”

Burton denies the charges and the trial before judge Lady Stacey continues.