Married Bernadette Smith, 35, escaped a jail sentence after she was convicted of kissing and cuddling 16-year-old schoolboy Gary Ralston at his home in Cowie, Stirlingshire, and at a park in Falkirk.
At the time, the court heard how she told police and colleagues that she was ‘in love’ with Gary, who she had taught and also given after-school tuition.
The court had heard how the affair started in Smith’s classroom where she confessed her feelings to the boy, who has since waived his anonymity, before the pair went to a park and had their first kiss.
That night, Smith visited the house Gary shared with his father, Richard, and she and the schoolboy spent the night together in Gary’s bed.
The pair were caught after Gary’s grandmother found out and told the school, which suspended Smith immediately. At the time, Gary’s father admitted to being proud of his son for catching the teacher’s eye.
‘She also admitted meeting at his home and told his father about her feelings and she stayed overnight in the boy’s bedroom and that she had been wearing her jeans and a bra.
‘She said during the interview that she loved the boy and they both wanted to be together.’
Smith had claimed in court that her behaviour was sparked over her husband Brian’s continued deceit over an affair.
The English and history teacher claimed she started her affair after trying to be a ‘positive influence’ on Gary and said it evolved after she poured her heart out to him about her problems at home.
Bookmarks