Sheriff convicts couple of assaults on two children

Two church workers who assaulted children for failing to get top grades at school have walked free from court.

Fraser Dodds, 33, and his wife Carolyn, 31, assaulted a boy and a girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, when they did not get top marks in teachers’ reports.

After being given a ‘B’ in a school assignment, the boy, then aged eight, was pinned down and restrained by Mrs Dodds while Mr Dodds smacked him despite protests from the youngster.

The girl, who was six at the time, was also hit when she was given a “straight face” by a teacher rather than a “smiley one”.

The Dodds are heavily involved in the Hope United Church which is based in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, and Dundee.

He is the associate pastor of the church while she is a worship leader as well as a singer.

The couple from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, were on trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court and denied the charges, relating to incidents between January and February this year. Both were found guilty by Sheriff Shiona Waldron.

The sheriff has ordered the pair to be supervised for eight months.

Mr Dodds solicitor said:

“He believes his actions were chastisement but the court found them to be criminal.”

Mrs Dodds’s life has been “turned upside down” said her solicitor.