A former teacher, Eppie Sprung Dawson, who was caught in a layby with a male pupil, has spoken out about the challenges she faces post-conviction. Eppie, who lost her career and marriage over the affair, admitted to having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student she met while teaching English at St Joseph’s College in Dumfries. Following her admission and guilty plea, she was removed from the teaching register and placed on the sex offenders register, receiving a six-month community payback order.
Expressing her frustrations on a BBC Radio One phone-in on October 3, Eppie highlighted the ‘stigma’ that continues to impact her daily life. She shared, “I have a conviction for a sexual offence. I was a teacher and I had an affair with a 17-year-old pupil.” She described the immense media coverage and public scrutiny she endured as the most challenging aspect of her experience. Eppie acknowledged that individuals with convictions for sexual offences face high levels of stigma, affecting various aspects of their lives, including employment opportunities and social interactions such as not being invited to her daughter’s friends’ birthday parties.
The incident in question occurred in December 2012 when authorities observed Eppie, then 26 years old, engaged in intimate activities with a pupil in her car. Subsequently, her marriage ended, and the pupil moved in with her, though their relationship ended in 2015. Eppie faced difficulties in finding employment due to her widely publicized case, causing potential employers to view her as a reputational risk. Despite the challenges, she eventually secured a job at a charity and later founded Next Chapter Scotland, a charity supported by the lottery, to assist reformed criminals in finding employment.
Having remarried, Eppie expressed her motivation for establishing the charity as a means to demonstrate to her children that she is using her past experiences for positive change. She aims to confront the stigma associated with her offence head-on and show her commitment to helping others reintegrate into society. Through her actions, Eppie hopes to inspire others and support individuals in similar situations to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.
As she continues to navigate the aftermath of her conviction, Eppie’s story serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of societal judgment and the complexities individuals face in seeking redemption and acceptance post-conviction.