Craig Smith previously pleaded guilty to three charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 21 March 2025.

The 43-year-old admitted abusing the girls by intentionally engaging in sexual activity with two victims and sending messages of a sexual nature to a third child.

The offences took place between 2015 and 2018 while Smith was employed at a high school in South Lanarkshire.

Smith began messaging the first victim on Facebook as he was apparently concerned for her welfare as she suffered from panic attacks. The messages soon became inappropriate with explicit content shared. Smith then engaged in sexual contact with the abused child at the school.

Smith messaged the second victim on social media before sexually abusing her on school grounds. An investigation was launched in 2018 after the accused sent a 14-year-old pupil a sexualised message on Facebook.

A fellow teacher became aware of the incident and reported it to the head teacher with police then contacted. On 8 April 2025, at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Smith was jailed for two years and three months.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register.

Police Scotland detective sergeant Ruth Whyte said: “Smith used his position to take advantage of teenage girls and will now face the outcome of these deplorable actions and as well as being on the sex offenders register.

“I would urge anyone who is the victim of sexual abuse to come forward and speak to us, regardless of the passage of time. All reports are thoroughly investigated, and we have specially trained officers and partner agencies to provide support.”