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French teacher 'had sex with 17-year-old pupil' after Edinburgh school prom

Isabelle Graham, 27, says she is the victim and that her drink was spiked 

Matt Payton
Tuesday 30 August 2016 17:16 BST
Ms Graham taught French at Whitburn Academy, Edinburgh
Ms Graham taught French at Whitburn Academy, Edinburgh (Google Maps)

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A French teacher has been accused by a disciplinary hearing of having sex with a 17-year-old student after his sixth form prom.

Isabelle Graham, a teacher at Whitburn Academy in Edinburgh, was allegedly found in a Travelodge bed with the pupil by another sixth form student, according to the Daily Record.

In a statement, the 27-year-old told the hearing, "I am the victim", saying she had her drinks spiked.

A photo appeared on social media showing a blonde woman, purportedly Ms Graham, asleep in a hotel bed with a young man looking on.

The teacher, who now lives abroad with her husband, was absent from the hearings and denies all the allegations.

She claims to have no memory after 10.30pm - saying she only had four glasses of wine.

According to her statement, her first recollection after 10.30pm was "about 5.00am" next morning.

After the allegations came to light, She resigned from her position at Whitburn Academy.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) have accused her of leaving the Edinburgh prom venue with a pupil to a nearby Travelodge in June 2014.

Police Detective Sergeant Keith Mailer, who investigated the incident, told the hearing CCTV footage from the night showed no signs of her being "under excessive influence of drugs or alcohol."

He added there was video showing the teacher and the student kissing.

Police pressed charges against Ms Graham but the procurator fiscal did not pursue the case, claiming a lack of evidence.

Responding to the police's assertions, she said there are date-rape drugs available that leave a victim lucid but undermine their decision-making ability.

Ms Graham added that she was "an acting and practising Christian" who was "waiting until marriage" to have sex.

Her husband Andrew Wilkie, who is training to join the clergy, has vigorously defended the conduct of his then-fiancée.

The hearing was adjourned until later on Tuesday 30 August to allow the panel to reach a verdict.

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