Teacher struck off after ‘sex acts with pupils’

A TEACHER who had sexual relationships with three pupils has been struck off.

Music teacher David Cush, who taught at St Joseph’s Academy, Kilmarnock, showered the pupils with gifts and took them on holidays.

The 46-year-old engaged in “sexual acts” with one pupil at the Catholic school, and had sexual relationships with another two pupils between 1995 and 2006.

One of his former pupils earlier told a General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) hearing of their relationship, which began when she was 15.

The GTCS announced yesterday Mr Cush had been struck off, after nine charges of misconduct against him were found proved.

Announcing the decision to strike him off, GTCS panel convener Mary McCory said Mr Cush had “demonstrated a complete disregard” for teachers’ rules.

Mr Cush would be referred to ministers under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act, recommending he be barred from working with children, she said.

At a hearing last month, the GTCS took evidence from a woman referred to only as Pupil C.

She described romantic weekends away in York, claiming that the affair began in 1996 when she was 15 and ended in 2001.

Charges found proved relating to Pupil A say he performed sex acts on her between 2000 and 2002, and took her on a trip to Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Charges relating to Pupil B which said he took her on holiday to Italy and they had sex in his flat in Ayrshire were also found proved.

Mr Cush has denied the charges against him.

It emerged at the hearing that Mr Cush had been investigated by the police but no charges were brought. He was sacked from his post by East Ayrshire Council.