Retired Headmaster Jailed for Abusing Young Girls
A headmaster who sexually assaulted pupils at a school for vulnerable children's been jailed for two years.
A headmaster who sexually assaulted pupils at a school for vulnerable children's been jailed for two years.
David Cowling, 76, was found guilty of committing the offences more than 40 years ago while he was the head teacher at Balnacraig School in Perth.
University educated Cowling had become involved in social work before becoming head teacher at the school which housed children who were in social care.
A jury found Cowling guilty and Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told him: "At the time you were the headmaster of the establishment. The children under your control were put there because they were in the care system.
"They were vulnerable individuals. You were in a position of trust and undoubtedly you abused that trust. It is very clear your behaviour towards the complainers undoubtedly had an effect on their day to day lives from that time onwards."
Perth Sheriff Court was told that Cowling's relationship with one victim was so blatant that he was forced to resign from his post, but it was not reported as a crime until 40 years later.
He later returned to teaching at Perth College after gaining an accountancy qualification and denied any guilt. He tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose last month after the jury found him guilty.
Cowling was found guilty by a jury of carrying out sex attacks on pupils while he was in charge of Balnacraig School during the 1970s.
He admitted he had been involved in a sexual relationship with one of his pupils but claimed that nothing of a sexual nature had taken place with her before she was 16. He admitted taking her to a hotel for the weekend of her 16th birthday.
However, the jury found Cowling unanimously guilty of grooming the girl and becoming involved in a sexual relationship with her before she turned 13.
She told Perth Sheriff Court that Cowling had lured her into regular sexual trysts at various locations including a caravan which was parked in the school grounds.
The court was told that further incidents took place during trips to Glasgow and Arisaig in the early 1970s.
She said she was still under the age of consent when Cowling lavished attention on her to make her "feel wanted" and initially kissed and cuddled her. She said it progressed to intimate touching and a full sexual relationship.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court that she was made to feel special by Cowling and only realised it was wrong when she left the school.
"I'd never been cuddled before," she said. "It seemed to go from there and we were kissing and that. He had a caravan, which was in the grounds, and he would take me there.
"I think I felt wanted by somebody that needed me and loved me."
She said she never reported the matter at the time and only realised Cowling was abusing his position when she left the school and formed a relationship with someone her own age.
The woman, now in her 50s, told the jury that she had managed to put the illicit sexual relationship behind her until she discovered that Cowling was being probed by the police.
She said that when police arrived to question her about her relationship with Cowling the memories came flooding back and she made a formal complaint about him.
Another victim told the court that Cowling "used her like a sexual tool" by carrying out a sex act in front of her on two occasions. She said Cowling crept in beside her and carried out the sex act.
The matter came to light when the second woman, who is also now in her 50s, decided to report Cowling's attacks to police and a full investigation was launched.
Cowling, May Place, Perth, was found guilty of two sex offence charges at the Perth residential school. His wife wept in court as he was led down to start his prison term.
His counsel Lucy Keane said: "As a result of a mistake and a lack of judgment he has paid a high price for it."