Former teacher faces 18 charges of child sex offences

Jul 30 2008 by Gordon Robertson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A FORMER teacher has gone on trial charged with a catalogue of serious sexual offences against children from the deaf community dating back more than 40 years.

Colin Macdonald, who lived in Coatbridge, faces 18 charges allegedly committed against victims as young as 10 at camps and outdoor activity centres throughout the north of Scotland.

Macdonald (61) is said to have plied some of the children with drink before committing offences ranging from gross indecency and sodomy to lewd and libidinous behaviour and indecent assault.

The alleged attacks are said to have taken place at Glencoe, Glendoll, Aviemore, Sutherland, Mallaig, the isles of Rhum and Harris and at addresses in Hurlford, Ayrshire, and Glasgow between 1967 and 1983.

Macdonald, now of Sun Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, denies all charges at the High Court in Kilmarnock.

The case was adjourned for legal debate yesterday and is expected to continue for up to 10 weeks.