Richard Greenwood, 46, has been given an absolute discharge by a sheriff after restraining a six-year-old boy’s wrists and ankles with cable ties
A teacher who tied a boy’s wrists and ankles with cable ties has been given an absolute discharge by a sheriff.
Richard Greenwood, also known as Robin, was found guilty on Friday of one count of assault against a child following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The 46-year-old was found not guilty of a separate assault charge and was given an absolute discharge in respect of the guilty verdict – meaning it will not result in a sentence or a formal criminal record.
Greenwood, lead teacher of chemistry at Merchiston Castle School, told the court he remains employed in his role and that he informed the school of the case when he was charged at the end of 2024. The charges did not relate to any pupils at the school, nor did they take place on school grounds, Edinburgh Live reports.
The court heard that the child, now aged nine, was tied at the wrists and ankles with cable ties at an address in Edinburgh on August 23, 2023, when he was six years old.
Greenwood claimed it was part of a “cops and robbers” game and a distraction technique used to calm the child after he ran into the road and attempted to climb out of a window.
He told the court: “I recall him being distressed on the evening. He opened the front door and ran onto the road towards the bus stop. I ran after him and returned to the house.
“I feared for his safety. He then escaped out the back of the house and onto the street. I locked the front door and put the key on top of a cabinet.
“He then tried to get the key from the top of the cabinet and tried to climb out the bathroom window. I was pretty calm and not shouting, but I remember saying to him ‘you’re going to kill yourself’.”
He said he tried to calm the child by distracting him with television and play-wrestling, which he said left the boy “giggling”. Greenwood then used cable ties, explaining that a pair of toy handcuffs were missing, and told the boy he was “under arrest”.
He said the child held out his hands and was restrained at the wrists and ankles, describing him as a “wiggling like a worm”. However, Greenwood said he then realised the “connotations” of using cable ties and freed the boy by cutting him loose with scissors.
He said: “It was just a game. He was in cable ties for no more than two minutes until I realised the connotations of the game and took them off immediately. I agree it doesn’t sound good and it was a mistake, but I never meant any harm.
Greenwood added: “Looking back on the cable tie incident I feel really stupid and naive.” When asked by the fiscal depute if there was any malice involved, he replied: “Absolutely not.”
Before delivering a guilty verdict on an amended charge, Sheriff McCormack added: “It was a brief episode but a child cannot consent. This conduct of tying up a child was an assault, albeit a brief one with no lasting effect.”
He acknowledged the impact a conviction would have on Greenwood’s job and income and granted him an absolute discharge.
A spokesperson for Merchiston Castle School said: “Merchiston Castle School notes today’s court verdict. The case did not involve any pupils or any allegation connected to the school. The matter related entirely to circumstances outside any professional setting.
“When the school was made aware of the charges, it followed its safeguarding procedures and sought appropriate specialist advice. Decisions regarding Mr Greenwood’s employment were made throughout in line with the school’s safeguarding responsibilities, legal obligations and the advice received.
“As this concerns an individual member of staff’s employment, it would not be appropriate to comment further while employment processes are ongoing.”