Key Points
- Richard Greenwood, also known as Robin, was found guilty of one count of assault at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, June 26.
- The case involved a boy whose wrists and ankles were restrained with cable ties.
- Greenwood was given an absolute discharge by the sheriff.
- He was found not guilty of a separate assault charge.
- Reporting says the absolute discharge means the guilty verdict will not result in a sentence or a formal criminal record.
- Greenwood is the lead teacher of chemistry at Merchiston Castle School.
- He told the court he was still employed in that role and that his employers knew about the case after he informed them at the end of 2024.
- The incident happened on August 23, 2023, at an address in Edinburgh, and did not involve any pupils at the school or take place on school grounds.
- The court heard that the child, now aged nine, was tied by his wrists and ankles with cable ties.
- Greenwood said the restraint was part of a “cops and robbers” game.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily) June 27, 2026 – Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard the case against Richard Greenwood, also known as Robin, and on Friday, June 26, he was found guilty of one count of assault against a boy. The sheriff also found him not guilty of a separate assault charge. Greenwood was then given an absolute discharge in respect of the guilty verdict. According to the reporting cited in the case, that means the verdict will not lead to a sentence or a formal criminal record.
What happened in the incident?
The court heard that the incident took place on August 23, 2023, at an address in Edinburgh. The victim, who is now aged nine, was tied by his wrists and ankles with cable ties. Greenwood told the court that the restraint happened during what he described as a “cops and robbers” game. The case did not relate to any pupils at Merchiston Castle School, and it did not take place on the school’s grounds.
Who is Richard Greenwood?
Greenwood is the lead teacher of chemistry at Merchiston Castle School, a private school where boarding fees are nearly £17,000 per term. He told the court that he was still employed in that role. He also said his employers were aware of the case after he informed them about the charge at the end of 2024. The reporting names him as Richard Greenwood, also known as Robin.
Why does the discharge matter?
An absolute discharge is significant because the court has found the charge proved, but it does not impose punishment in the usual way. In practical terms, the reporting says it will not result in a sentence or a formal criminal record. That makes the outcome unusual in a case that still involved a guilty verdict for assault. The legal distinction is important for understanding the court’s final decision.
School and case context
Merchiston Castle School is one of Edinburgh’s well-known private schools, and the case has drawn attention partly because Greenwood holds a senior teaching role there. The incident itself, however, was separate from the school environment and involved no school pupil. The court’s findings focused on Greenwood’s conduct during the 2023 incident rather than on any allegation connected to the school. The details reported from the hearing also show that Greenwood had informed his employer about the case after the charge was brought.
Background of the particular development
This case sits within wider public concern about safeguarding, restraint and adult conduct involving children. Even where incidents do not take place in a school setting, cases involving teachers can attract strong scrutiny because of the trust attached to the profession. The fact that Greenwood continued in post while the case was ongoing has also made the report notable. The hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court has therefore been viewed through both a criminal justice and child protection lens.
Prediction: How can this affect parents and schools?
For parents, the case may increase concern about how schools assess staff conduct outside the classroom, especially where employees hold positions of responsibility over children. For schools, it may add pressure to review reporting systems, employment safeguards and internal disclosure rules, particularly when criminal allegations arise. For pupils and their families, the likely effect is a sharper focus on trust, transparency and reassurance about who is teaching in independent schools. The broader impact may be a stronger demand for clear safeguarding standards even when incidents occur away from school premises.
