A POLICE constable scolded by a sheriff for inappropriate behaviour and 'discussing his sex life’ with South Ayrshire pupils has been cleared of indecent acts towards a schoolgirl.

John Stewart was found not guilty of sexual activity directed at the teenager when he was employed as a campus police officer - after Ayr Sheriff Court heard that his “poor boundaries" brought him to the dock.

The 41-year-old, whose address was noted as Police Scotland’s professional standards department in Dalmarnock, was told that it was "staggering" he "discussed his sex life" and his explanations were "concerning".

The PC's trial heard claims he repeatedly had ‘play-fights’ with the girl and allegations that he seized her by the neck and body 'in a headlock' at a secondary school in South Ayrshire between April and September last year.

The Crown’s complaint also alleged that Stewart repeatedly uttered sexualised comments towards the teen and claimed that he repeatedly touched her on her buttocks.

The court heard he also discussed his "body count", referring to how many people he had sex with, to youngsters at the school.

The teen girl later complained to depute head teachers; the officer left the school later that day.

The trial heard she felt “really uncomfortable” after the comments and the court was played a Snapchat video she recorded of herself when the officer asked if she had "fell out with" him as she felt “unsafe”.

During a recorded police interview, she said: “He was well nice at first. If skipping class we would go sit with him.

“PC Stewart was very flirty towards me. I remember talking about his girlfriend. Someone asked ‘what about [the complainer]?’ and he said ‘not until she’s 18’.”

Describing another occasion, she said: “I was in his office joking about, I said 'Oh, f**k me man' [while using her phone]. He said ‘not yet’.

“I was just lying down on the couch and he jiggled my bum, touched my bum. That made me feel uncomfortable.

“Girls trusted him. I spoke to him about personal stuff.

“When he said ‘not yet’ I just went quiet and played with a pen and left. I didn’t go back. It opened my eyes.

“I just felt so uneasy and didn’t want to walk about the school. At the time I didn’t think it was anything but a joke but now I feel disgusted, uncomfortable, unhappy.”

Two deputy head teachers gave evidence after complaints were raised to the secondary school.

One said: “[The complainer] was sitting on the stool and was very tearful. I could see she was upset and I said 'what’s the matter?'

“She seemed very anxious, hesitant and reluctant to speak. I said I was happy to listen, but reminded her if she shared any information, it may have to be passed on for child protection procedures.

“She said ‘it’s about a member of staff and I don’t want to get him into trouble’. She felt the behaviour had been inappropriate towards her and used the word ‘creepy’.

“I had known her a number of years and could tell she was anxious. She was quite emotional.”

Giving evidence, Stewart told defence solicitor Pamela Rodgers his role was “more about building relationships between the school and the police”.

He said: “Group/s would come to me on an almost daily basis. You would build up relationships over the years and treat them more like adults.”

Asked if there had been any discussions about sex he said “a couple of times, yes”. Asked if discussions were "appropriate", he said: “In hindsight, no.”

On being told of the complaint to the school, he said: “I was devastated. Absolutely crushed. It was a horrible feeling."

Two other girls from the same group denied feeling uncomfortable in Constable Stewart’s presence and disagreed that he had been “flirty”.

One said: “I don’t think he was making an inappropriate comment.

“I was so shocked things could be completely twisted like that.”

At the conclusion of the trial last week, Sheriff Maria Kicinski said: “I was not impressed by much of your behaviour at the time of these events. I found your boundaries with these young people to be poor.

"That you discussed details of your sex life with them, I find staggering. I was not impressed with your explanation you gave that you wanted to make the police seem ‘relatable’.

"This is only one example I found of your evidence to the court to be concerning, I consider your lax behaviour and poor boundaries led you here today."

The sheriff continued: "It is not the function of this court to establish whether you upheld the standards the public would expect from a police officer while in a position of trust... it rather has to decide on criminal law and specifically if you engaged in sexual activity while in a position of trust.

“I do not find that proved beyond reasonable doubt, and for that reason find you not guilty.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the outcome at court and the matter will now be referred to the Deputy Chief Constable for consideration of misconduct proceedings."

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: "A police officer still operates from the school. It would not be appropriate for South Ayrshire Council to comment on police matters."