Teacher who abused two pupils in South Lanarkshire branded “disgraceful” by a judge
A teacher who groomed and abused two pupils in South Lanarkshire was branded “disgraceful” by a judge as she jailed him for six years.
A teacher who groomed and abused two pupils in South Lanarkshire was branded “disgraceful” by a judge as she jailed him for six years.
Ronald Burton preyed on boys while teaching maths at two secondary schools in South Lanarkshire.
The 60 year-old lavished gifts on the pair – including underwear and gym memberships.
Burton – a now retired ex-assistant principal teacher – was finally snared in 2014 after being confronted by his first victim.
He returned to the High Court in Glasgow today having been convicted last month.
His lawyer said Burton had been a “gifted” teacher, but that his reputation now “lay in tatters”.
Lady Stacey told the predator he had been “deceitful” and acted “disgracefully” in what he did.
She added: “You abused the the trust that the children had in you.”
Burton – who maintains his innocence – showed no emotion as he was lead handcuffed to the cells.
The jury heard how the offences occurred 20 years apart.
Burton got to know the first victim around 1994 when he was in first year and later went on to tutor him in maths.
Burton told the trial: “I made the judgement that I would try and help him improve.”
But, he instead took the opportunity to prey on the youngster.
The victim recalled feeling “very uncomfortable” when Burton used “crude terminology”.
During the abuse, Burton drove to a quiet lane before apparently becoming upset.
The witness told the court: “At this point he put his head in his hands. He said I thought just like his mother...she always told him he was a pervert and I must think he is a pervert as well.”
The abuse ended when the boy was around 15. He told the court: “I ended up thinking I was the one in the wrong.”
Burton later moved schools and eventually turned his attentions to a second boy – aged around 12 - in 2013.
This youngster was similarly preyed upon which included inappropriate touching.
Quizzed about these incidents, the boy said: “He asked and I said I was not comfortable with it.
“He would say 'you are just like everyone else...you think I'm a weirdo.”
Burton was finally reported to police after the first victim told he felt “worthless” and wanted to kill himself.
But, the trial heard the victim felt like “a weight had been lifted” after confronting Burton.
Burton, of East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, denied the allegations.
Prosecutor Paul Kearney put to him:“You say you had shown him nothing but kindness and affection?”
Burton: “I think so, yes.”
The advocate depute: “These allegations have only been made because they are true?”
Burton: “No.”
In his closing speech, Mr Kearney described Burton as “highly manipulative” in carrying out “systematic sexual abuse”.
He was convicted of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards the first victim and a charge of sexual assault against the second boy.
Burton had faced other charges including claims he raped the second victim and also tried to hypnotise him, but these were dropped by prosecutors.
His lawyer George Cheyne today/yesterday said: “He was a gifted teacher for some 30 years.
“He taught generations of children...his reputation now lies in tatters.”