A social worker at a north-east children’s home walked free from court yesterday after she was cleared of assaulting a schoolgirl in her care.
Jackie Bruce was suspended from her post at the Fernbank facility in Peterhead after false allegations where made against her by a 15-year-old resident.
The youngster told police that Ms Bruce had forcibly removed her from her office at the King Street centre in May last year.
But yesterday, after a two-day trial at Peterhead Sheriff Court, the 30-year-old was found not guilty of assaulting the teenager.
As she left court, Ms Bruce said she was relieved the case was over after more than a year and glad she could finally put the episode behind her.
Giving evidence yesterday morning, she said the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been “angry” because staff at the centre had refused to give her money for a bus fare to Fraserburgh.
The move was punishment for earlier misbehaviour, the court heard.
Ms Bruce said she was concerned that the girl, who was swearing and shouting at her, would be able to see a confidential report she was in the process of writing and asked her to leave.
When she refused to go, the girl made a grab for the paper.
“I took her by the arm with one hand and led her out of the room,” said Ms Bruce, who insisted she had stayed “calm and professional” throughout the incident.
Afterwards, the girl claimed she had been assaulted and reported the matter to police. She and another girl who was also in the office alleged that Ms Bruce had used both hands to push her out and slammed the door behind her.
Under cross-examination by fiscal depute Colin Neilson, Ms Bruce denied she “used more force than was necessary”.
Fernbank residential manager Gary Crawford, 44, told the court the girls at the centre of the allegation “could be lovely” and had a good sense of humour, but added: “When they are being challenging they can be very challenging.”
He added that he had never had any reason to be critical about Ms Bruce’s professionalism.
Defence agent George Mathers said the girl lied about the assault because “she wasn’t getting her fare for a bus through to Fraserburgh so she could be with her pals”.
Sheriff Andrew Miller told Ms Bruce: “I find you not guilty. I have no difficulty at all in preferring your version of events over the account given by the two young women.”
Last night, a spokesman for Fernbank owners, Aberdeenshire Council, said: “We were fully aware of the proceedings and Jackie Bruce remained an employee of Aberdeenshire Council throughout the process.”
In December, a social worker at the facility was struck off after repeatedly turning up for work while under the influence of alcohol.
Bosses said Wilma Buchan’s actions put teenage residents and staff at risk.
Fernbank is based in a converted granite house on the outskirts of Peterhead town centre. It provides accommodation and support for four teenagers.
