Bus driver who watched porn on school run sentenced to unpaid work

Bus driver who watched porn on school run sentenced to unpaid work

David Robe, a school bus driver, has been sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work after being convicted of watching pornography on his phone while picking up and dropping off pupils. The 55-year-old had initially denied breaching the peace by viewing images and videos of naked women in the presence of children during his private-hire bus run between the Borders village of Denholm and Jedburgh Grammar Campus over a period between 1 May and 20 September last year. According to Sheriff Kevin McCarron, Robe, from Ashington, Northumberland, was deemed to be a risk to the public due to his apparent lack of self-control.

In a verdict pronounced at the Jedburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Kevin McCarron declared that Robe would be serving his sentence through community service and two years of supervision as an alternative to incarceration. Additionally, Robe’s name has been included in the sex offenders register for a duration of two years. Sheriff Kevin McCarron justified his decision by stating that a custodial sentence would not provide the necessary supervision upon Robe’s release, therefore increasing the risk of reoffending. The sheriff emphasized the need for longer-term supervision for Robe to ensure the protection of the public.

During the trial in October, a former pupil testified that he frequently observed Robe viewing inappropriate content on his phone as students boarded and exited the bus. The witness recounted seeing images of naked women and a video of individuals engaging in sexual activity on Robe’s device. The incident was brought to the attention of the authorities when the police visited the school for an unrelated matter on the bus, prompting the teenager to report Robe’s actions to the officer. This revelation led to Robe being held accountable for his actions and subsequently facing legal consequences for his behavior.

Robe’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and appropriate conduct, especially when entrusted with the safety and well-being of minors. The case highlights the legal ramifications of engaging in misconduct while in the presence of vulnerable individuals and underlines the significance of adhering to ethical standards in all professional settings

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