Former boarding school teacher who abused 11 boys at three fee-paying schools jailed for nine years

A former Scots boarding school teacher has been jailed for nine years for the abuse of 11 boys.

William Bain preyed on the pupils while working at three different fee-paying schools.

The victims included one boy who had gone to “kindly” Bain for help as he was being bullied.

The ex-physics teacher – now aged 72 – had been due to stand trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

He instead pleaded guilty to a total of 11 sex abuse charges.

Bain had previously been jailed for six and a half years in 2016 for similar offences against five boys at a school in Dunbartonshire.

He was freed in mid-2020. It is believed these latest crimes were reported following publicity of the earlier case.

Bain was put back behind bars by Judge Lord Young on Monday. The sentence was cut from ten years due to the guilty pleas.

The 11 charges spanning between 1978-1999 consisted mainly of lewd and libidinous behaviour as well as indecent assault.

Bain first abused a 12-year-old boy at a private school in Edinburgh, where he was latterly a house tutor.

He struck after ordering him to stay behind for detention.

The next boy would often go to Bain for help with his homework.

Prosecutor Shanti Maguire told the court: “It was during these occasions of tutoring that Bain would sexually abuse him.”

Bain ordered the boy to keep quiet about what happened.

Revealing the effect on this victim, Miss Maguire said: “Due to the nature of these events, he has spent many years blocking out the memory of the incidents in that he cannot recall all of the details.”

By the mid-1980s, Bain had moved to a private school in Aberdeen, where he targeted one boy.

This pupil was described as “isolated and homesick” having moved from England to study there.

Bain, who was a house master, invited the child into his room. He told the boy he would “look after him”.

But, Miss Maguire told the court, instead, the teacher abused the youngster.

The incident only stopped when the school bell rang.

Bain’s next victims were at the boarding school in Dunbartonshire. This is the same establishment involved in the 2016 case.

One teenager was molested on three occasions in the physics teacher’s laboratory.

Mis Maguire: “These incidents took place in view of other pupils. Bain acted as if it was mere wrestling.

“However, he believed it was done for other purposes – namely an opportunity for Bain to touch him.”

Another boy had been the victim of bullying and had described the school as a “brutal environment”.

He was also targeted in Bain’s lab as well as in a dark room at a photography club the teacher ran.

This boy was further groped during rugby training sessions and on hill walking trips.

A third boy there had also been bullied and was grieving following the recent death of his brother.

He was “drawn” to Bain due to his apparent “kindly nature”.

The ex-Cambridge University graduate groomed the youngster by giving him sweets and taking him to fast food restaurants.

Bain initially exposed himself in the camera club dark room.

He then groped the boy, who felt “trapped”. Other incidents occurred in the physics lab as well as in Bain’s private flat in the grounds of the school, which “a number of pupils” were given access to.

It was there that another teenager was molested while a film was being shown.

A further attack occurred while this boy was using a computer at the flat.

One pupil recalled being groped during so-called “play-fights” at the school.

A sixth boy studying there was inappropriately touched, but Bain casually told him, “not to worry”.

This victim also spoke of feeling “uncomfortable” as the teacher stood watching him and other pupils as they showered.

Another boy initially regarded Bain as “friendly” for taking trips outside of school but he was then preyed upon in his bed and while alone with Bain in the private flat.

Bain made sleazy comments and gave money to the final victim, who was left feeling “uncomfortable” in his company.

The court heard Bain, of Crieff, Perthshire, had latterly been living with his 99-year-old mother.

Brian McConnachie KC, defending, told the hearing: “He tells me that around the time of the millennium, he accepted that his behaviour had been out of control and he was determined to put an end to it.

“He has given evidence at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. He not only spoke about his own offending, but also assisted with evidence of the culture that existed at the schools that he was involved with.”

Sentencing, Lord Young said he had read a number of victim impact statements describing the “terrible legacy” left by Bain’s abuse.

The judge said the then boys were left feeling “alone and lost” thinking they would not be believed had they spoken out at the time.

Lord Young: “These children were entrusted by their parents to the schools. They ought to have been nurtured and educated in a safe environment.

“Instead, it seems that throughout your career as a teacher, you abused this position to pursue your own sexual deviances.”

Bain remains on the sex offenders list.

Fiona Kirkby, procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offences, said: “William Bain is a prolific offender who repeatedly exploited his position of trust as a teacher to sexually abuse children in his care. He has now been held accountable and imprisoned for his depraved actions.

“This prosecution should send a clear message to those who sexually abuse children and young people, regardless of how much time has passed.

“I would urge anyone affected by similar crimes to report it when they feel ready and able to do so. You will be listened to and supported as we use all the tools available to us in seeking justice.”