Fife school worker boasted of selling vapes to 11-year-olds and sent explicit Snapchat messages to pupil
A Fife school worker who boasted of selling vapes to 11-year-olds and sent explicit Snapchat messages to a pupil has been struck off.
Gillian Sorbie also told another pupil to 'keep quiet' about their arrangements and was convicted in court of selling a vape to a 12-year-old.
Sorbie, 41, was found to have used 'abusive and threatening' language in messages following an investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
While employed as a pupil support officer by Fife Council, Sorbie – from Glenrothes – 'repeatedly' messaged two school pupils.
The pupils – referred to as AA and BB in the report – were both aged about 12 at the time.
She told The Courier she denies all the claims despite the outcome of both cases against her.
The school where Sorbie worked has not been named to protect the identities of the youngsters.
The SSSC found that Sorbie had sent the following messages to pupil AA in March 2023.
Some of the language in the messages has been censored by The Courier:
The context of these messages being sent to the pupil is not clear.
Meanwhile, the watchdog found Sorbie also sent another pupil – BB – messages on Snapchat between September and October 2023.
The messages showed her trying to arrange to meet the pupil to sell them vapes and boasting of selling the electronic cigarettes to 11-year-olds.
The SSSC found Sorbie sent the following messages as part of that exchange:
Sorbie further sent the same pupil messages making reference to a penis and said she needed alcohol after 'dealing with (a fellow staff member) all year'.
Around the same time, she sent a Snapchat message to BB with an image of electronic vapes, with the caption: 'Vapes £13 each or two for £20. 4,000 puffs each. Amazing value. DM me if you want any.'
Then, in September 2024, Sorbie admitted a charge of selling a vape to a 12-year-old in Glenrothes on one occasion a year previously.
She was fined £150 following the case at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
The SSSC report said: 'Your actions risked damaging the mental and emotional health of AA and BB.
'Your actions also risked causing a child physical and emotional harm as that child could become addicted to nicotine.
'The misconduct raises significant concerns about your values and your ability to work safely and effectively with children.'
The report also said Sorbie had attempted to delete the messages, while a parent of one of the children was trying to save them, in an attempt to conceal her wrongdoing.
The watchdog said Sorbie had offered no insight or apology for her behaviour and had shown 'limited' engagement with its investigation.
It found there were no factors in Sorbie's favour when considering the sanction.
The decision now means Sorbie is banned from any kind of care or social work in Scotland and the appeal period has now ended.
Approached for comment by The Courier, Sorbie denied selling vapes to children.
She said: 'I used to sell vapes and children in the school added me on Snapchat.
'They were always asking me to buy them vapes and alcohol – which I would never do.
'The children accused me of selling them vapes, went to the police and I was found guilty – I lost my job and reputation as a result.'
Asked why she had not made representations to the SSSC investigation, Sorbie said: 'I don't know how the process with the SSSC works.
'Also, if I was already found guilty, I thought they'd reach the same conclusion.
'It's all come from the kids. I've never said anything abusive or threatening.
'I should have fought the SSSC report but it's done.'
Sorbie said she had felt 'backed into a corner' when admitting the charge of selling the vape to the 12-year-old.
She added: 'I couldn't prove that I hadn't sold the vapes.'
Fife Council confirmed Sorbie is no longer an employee.
Sharon McKenzie, head of HR, said: 'As a responsible employer, we don't discuss the individual circumstances of any current or former employees.'
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