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Portsmouth head teacher admits cocaine and drink-drive charges | Portsmouth head teacher admits cocaine and drink-drive charges |
(35 minutes later) | |
A head teacher who was pulled over after driving through two red lights was almost twice the drink-drive limit and had cocaine. | A head teacher who was pulled over after driving through two red lights was almost twice the drink-drive limit and had cocaine. |
Iain Gilmour, 48, was stopped late at night in Portsmouth on 25 January. | Iain Gilmour, 48, was stopped late at night in Portsmouth on 25 January. |
He told Portsmouth Magistrates' Court he had been under "constant" political and financial pressure at Isambard Brunel Junior School. | |
He was banned from driving for 18 months after admitting drink-driving and possessing a Class A drug. | He was banned from driving for 18 months after admitting drink-driving and possessing a Class A drug. |
He was also ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £1,920. | He was also ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £1,920. |
Gilmour, of George Street, Portsmouth, was suspended from his job last Thursday. | |
The court heard he was stopped in Manor Road and had half a gram of cocaine which he had purchased for £200 earlier that day. | |
The court was told he had drunk three bottles of wine and police recorded his alcohol level as 67mg per 100ml of breath - the legal limit is 35mg. | |
Reading from a prepared statement in court, Gilmour said: "The last couple of years have been incredibly difficult for me. | Reading from a prepared statement in court, Gilmour said: "The last couple of years have been incredibly difficult for me. |
"As well as constant political and financial changes that all schools face, I have had to face further unique challenges as a head teacher." | "As well as constant political and financial changes that all schools face, I have had to face further unique challenges as a head teacher." |
'Personal demons' | 'Personal demons' |
He spoke about being affected by the death of a long-standing school colleague from cancer, disappointing exam results in July and being placed on a support programme after an Ofsted inspection. | He spoke about being affected by the death of a long-standing school colleague from cancer, disappointing exam results in July and being placed on a support programme after an Ofsted inspection. |
The school was given a "requires improvement" rating by the education watchdog following an inspection last year. | |
He also revealed he had been battling depression and a recent dependency on alcohol. | He also revealed he had been battling depression and a recent dependency on alcohol. |
"I was in such a state on the night of my arrest when I compounded my stupidity by giving into a desire for something stronger. My subsequent actions have destroyed my career," he said. | "I was in such a state on the night of my arrest when I compounded my stupidity by giving into a desire for something stronger. My subsequent actions have destroyed my career," he said. |
The school, which is currently being led by the deputy head, said Gilmour was "suspended immediately" when the allegations came to light and it would be starting disciplinary procedures. | |
Gilmour apologised to his family and the school and said he was seeking help to fight his "personal demons". | |
Magistrate Lee Mandiwall told him: "We feel for you sir, but we are here to uphold the law." | Magistrate Lee Mandiwall told him: "We feel for you sir, but we are here to uphold the law." |
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