A young woman has been cleared of assaulting young children at a prestigious north-east school – bringing an end to the criminal investigation surrounding it.
Hamilton School in Aberdeen was closed down by the Scottish Government two years ago, after a joint probe by Scotland’s care watchdog and the police.
An adjoining nursery was also shut down just 24 hours later after the Care Inspectorate visited the premises.
Following the closure, school owner and principal Kathlyn Taylor and her employee Hannah Jamieson were charged with alleged offences against children.
But now, two years on, the Crown Office has confirmed nobody will face any criminal charges over allegations stemming from the school.
It comes after the case against Ms Jamieson was dropped just three days before she was due to go on trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The 26-year-old, who had been working at Hamilton School as an early years practitioner, had been facing a string of allegations that she mistreated youngsters.
But it is understood a medical report submitted on behalf of the defence persuaded the Crown to drop the case.
Last night Mrs Taylor – who had the charges against her dropped last June – told the Press and Journal it was an “enormous relief” to hear the “nightmare 24 months” were at an end.
She said she hoped Ms Jamieson will now be able to rebuild her life and career.
“It is an enormous relief to hear that the charges against Hannah have been dropped,” Mrs Taylor said.
“She was an excellent member of staff who unfortunately was caught up in a chain of events that was triggered by malicious behaviour which ultimately led to the truly astonishing decision to close the primary school, changing the lives irrevocably of the children, parents and staff.
“Yet, here we are, two years on and we are no further forward in discovering how all of this happened and was indeed allowed to happen.
“I remain proud of our achievements at Hamilton and the numerous success stories it spawned. My earnest hope now is that Hannah can rebuild her life and career after a nightmare 24 months.”
Prosecutors had alleged Ms Jamieson, of 76 Airyhall Avenue, Aberdeen, had dragged a child at the school across the ground, held blankets over babies’ faces and forced a baby into a high chair.
She was also accused of assaulting a nine-month-old boy by pushing him on the head to get him to lie down to sleep, and picking up a 16-month-old girl in an “aggressive or forceful manner”.
The trial had been adjourned on a number of occasions while medical reports on Ms Jamieson were compiled for the defence.
It is understood Ms Jamieson suffered from serious learning difficulties that would have allowed a sheriff to throw out the case had it proceeded to trial.
Last night a Crown Office spokesman said “new information” had now come to light and as a result it was no longer in the public interest to prosecute.
He said: “It is the duty of the Crown to keep cases under review and as a result of further information provided about the circumstances of the alleged offences, and the accused, Crown Counsel took the view that it was no longer in the public interest to continue with this prosecution.”
One mum, who had a little girl at the nursery on Queens Road, said parents could breathe a sigh of relief now criminal proceedings were over.
She said: “To be frank, thank God no charges have been brought to bear, as this means there was no harm done to any children.
“As loving parents, we can sigh a huge breath of relief that our children were cared for safely and compassionately in a place where trust is paramount.
“This case has ruined lives and reputations, brought unnecessary heartache to mothers and fathers, and closed a popular school causing massive disruption to all.
“I’m sure I will be joined by other families in hoping that the principal and all involved can move on with their lives now.”
School closure
Ministers took the decision to close the Hamilton School after inspectors, who arrived on February 7, 2014, referred three child protection cases to Police Scotland.
Inspectors also had to intervene in two lessons after “serious health and safety risks were observed”.
The nursery study said staff failed to keep accurate information on children’s “life-threatening allergies”.
Inspectors discovered children as young as 12 months were also expected to feed themselves without staff support – even when they were unable to do so.
The report read: “We also saw a bowl of soup being tipped on to the table and the child, using their hands, trying to scrape the soup off the tablecloth, without success.”
Education Secretary Mike Russell labelled the report which led to the closure of Hamilton School the “worst” he had ever read.
He said: “I’ve seen lots of Education Scotland reports. It was far and away the most extraordinary, worst report I’ve ever seen.”
A statement at the time from the Scottish Government said: “These and other detailed issues identified during the inspection led HM Inspectors to conclude that they are not confident that children attending the Hamilton School are safe.
“HM Inspectors further concluded the Hamilton School is failing in its duty of care to its children and staff.”
A Care Inspectorate spokesman said it had “extremely serious concerns” about the quality of care offered to young children.
Aberdeen City Council ended up spending more than £250,000 providing places for 98 youngsters to be educated for five months after the fee-paying families were left without childcare.
In February 2014 the children initially entered Braeside Primary, which was hastily reopened after being mothballed by the local authority.
By July, only 47 remained, and by the beginning of the new term all pupils had found an alternative school.
During the five-month period council officials seconded 21 teaching staff from all over the city. Education bosses from the local authority were drafted in to manage the daily running of the school.