Sex offence trial of Kirkcaldy school teacher postponed

ALLEGATIONS: 52-year-old teacher charged over underage sex rendezvous

The trial of a high school religion teacher, accused of conspiracy to have sex with a teenage girl in a motorway motel room, was postponed yesterday to await a key legal ruling.

Iain Parkinson, religious affairs teacher in the RME (religious and moral education) department at Kirkcaldy High School, is said to have conspired with others by online messaging and phone calls to meet and participate in sexual activity with a girl, aged 14.

He had been due to face trial this month but Falkirk Sheriff Court heard that a ruling from the High Court on an aspect of the case was “pending”.

Prosecutor Samantha Brown said the matter was now expected to be heard by the High Court “during early to mid July”.

To allow for the ruling, Sheriff John Mundy postponed Parkinson’s trial to a jury sitting at Falkirk commencing on August 1 and continued bail.

It is alleged that after conspiring with others to set up an alleged under-age sex rendezvous, Parkinson, 52, travelled to the Travelodge, at Junction 5 of the M9 motorway in Stirlingshire, while in possession of a quantity of condoms, lubricant, and clothes pegs, and attempted to meet with those with whom he had allegedly conspired “for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a child and sexual touching of a child”.

According to the charge, Parkinson took part in the alleged conspiracy between May 25 and May 31 last year (2016) at three locations – Kirkcaldy High School, the Travelodge, and his own home in Corstorphine, Edinburgh.

Parkinson’s name no longer appears on the Kirkcaldy High School staff list.

The education authority, Fife Council, said it could not comment on individual staff matters.

However, a council spokeswoman said: “Anyone facing these kind of allegations would be suspended in the interests of safety until the conclusion of the case.”

Anyone facing these kind of allegations would be suspended in the interests of safety until the conclusion of the case. FIFE COUNCIL SPOKESWOMAN