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Sky News
a day ago
- Sky News
Former Edinburgh Academy PE teacher abused boys for 27 years, court rules
A former PE teacher at a private school in Edinburgh exploited his position of trust to physically and sexually abuse young boys, a court has ruled. John Young, 91, preyed on the children while working at The Edinburgh Academy between 1966 and 1993. The pensioner was deemed medically unfit to be criminally tried or to appear in court. However, following an examination of facts at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, a sheriff ruled on Monday that Young had repeatedly abused children, with 26 charges found to be established. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said evidence was heard from 24 former pupils and three other witnesses. Some of the victims detailed how Young punished pupils for perceived bad behaviour, including punching them or hitting them with a cricket bat, megaphone or wooden wedge. In 1992, the mother of a pupil wrote a letter of complaint to Young over his requirement for boys to remove their underpants prior to putting on their gym shorts. While accepting the "stated reason" was to avoid the youngsters spending the rest of the day after gym in sweaty underpants, she argued it caused "considerable embarrassment" and was not the practice at other independent schools. The mum stated: "I do not think that it is a reasonable practice for boys of this age and I have asked the opinion of many of the other mothers in my son's year who are also against it." COPFS said many of the victims told of how they continue to be traumatised and struggle to trust figures of authority due to the abuse they suffered. The court had previously determined that the accused was not fit to stand trial and ordered an examination of facts, where the procurator fiscal depute and the defence led evidence, which was tested before a sheriff. Young was found to have committed 26 offences, which included eight counts of lewd and libidinous practices and behaviour; four counts of breach of the peace; five counts of assault to injury; five counts of assault; three counts of indecent assault; and one count of cruel and unnatural treatment. Prosecutor Fiona Kirkby said: "John Young systematically abused young boys, over a period of 27 years, while holding a significant position of trust as their teacher at The Edinburgh Academy. "He had a duty of care to nurture and support these children but instead intentionally exploited his power to violate and humiliate them. "This examination of facts is a public airing of the facts and an acknowledgement that what happened to these children in the past was criminal. It should never have occurred. "It is now a matter of public record that Young committed offences including lewd and libidinous behaviour, indecent assault and cruel and unnatural treatment. "The court's finding today also sends a clear message to abusers: no matter who you are, when the abuse happened or how long after the event it is reported, there will be a robust response from prosecutors."
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Former teacher found to have sexually and physically abused boys
The 91-year-old was deemed medically unfit to be criminally tried or to appear in court but a sheriff ruled that Young had abused the children, with 26 charges found to be established. The case was heard at the Examination of Facts at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, with a letter written by a parent to the teacher in July 1992 demanding an explanation as to why young boys were forced to remove their underwear before putting on gym shorts. The explanation given was that he did not want students to 'spending the rest of the day after gym in sweaty underpants'. The court heard evidence from 24 former pupils and three other witnesses, and they were told he would use violence to punish pupils for perceived bad behaviour, which included hitting them with a cricket bat, megaphone or wooden wedge as well as punching them. A letter sent by one of the parents to John Young (Image: COPFS) Many said they remain traumatised by the abuse and struggle to trust authority figures even now. The court had previously determined that the accused was not fit to stand trial and ordered an Examination of Facts, where the Procurator Fiscal depute and the defence led evidence, which was tested before a sheriff. Prosecutor Fiona Kirkby, of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said: 'The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service consistently and successfully strives to secure justice for those affected by non-recent abuse. 'John Young systematically abused young boys, over a period of 27 years, while holding a significant position of trust as their teacher at the Edinburgh Academy. 'He had a duty of care to nurture and support these children but instead intentionally exploited his power to violate and humiliate them. 'This Examination of Facts is a public airing of the facts and an acknowledgement that what happened to these children in the past was criminal. It should never have occurred. 'It is now a matter of public record that Young committed offences including lewd and libidinous behaviour, indecent assault and cruel and unnatural treatment. 'The court's finding today also sends a clear message to abusers: no matter who you are, when the abuse happened or how long after the event it is reported, there will be a robust response from prosecutors. 'Sexual abuse and the use of force upon children is a crime. 'To any victim of such offending, we urge you to report it when you feel ready and able to do so. Be assured you will be listened to and supported. We remain committed to investigating and pursuing those culpable to seek conclusions.' Read More Two of his victims, who wish to remain anonymous, issued statements through their law firm Irwin Mitchell. The first survivor, who was subjected to a barrage of physical blows during a sudden attack in a classroom, said: 'Young was at the Academy for decades and taught PE to nearly every boy so it would not surprise me if hundreds more were affected. 'I think the school had lots of opportunities to prevent his abuse. I complained but I believe my complaint was taken to Young so the school could work to silence my complaint rather than address it. 'It's a shame that I and other survivors have to settle for an examination of facts hearing and are denied the chance to get a conviction – I hope police and fiscals get the chance to act quickly against abusers in the future so the chance for others to secure justice is not lost.' The second survivor added: 'This outcome should send shivers down the spines of Edinburgh Academy bosses. 'For decades survivors like myself have been accused of lying, exaggerating or misremembering but now we have a black and white decision that finally acknowledges us. 'Although it's not a full conviction I think it's still better than what the school ever did as I felt its own investigations and processes fell massively short of basic safeguarding steps for children. 'One key takeaway for me was the process – I find it unfair that I had to endure brutal cross examinations while the person involved gets to sit at home like nothing's happening. 'But ultimately, we secured the best possible outcome so I'm now just going to go home, process it and move forwards feeling a good deal lighter now the truth has had its day.'
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots forensics teams working furiously round-the-clock to narrow in on warring gangsters
It's added to the workload of crime scene experts who helped gather evidence for the forthcoming prosecutions expected to go through court GANG WAR CRACKDOWN Scots forensics teams working furiously round-the-clock to narrow in on warring gangsters FORENSIC teams are working round-the-clock on the orders of Scotland's top law chief to deal with the number of cases linked to Scotland's raging gangland turf war, we can reveal. The details emerged in a report placed before a police watchdog about the 55 arrests made so far by cops involved in Operation Portaledge. Advertisement 3 Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC ordered an all out effort to crack down on Scotland's warring hoods Credit: Alamy 3 Property has been attacked during the heated gang war 3 Ross 'Miami' McGill is said to have ordered a spate of attacks across central Scotland Credit: Collect It's added to the workload of crime scene experts who helped gather evidence for the forthcoming prosecutions expected to go through court. Fiona Douglas, director of forensic services, told the Scottish Police Authority they were working overtime to process the evidence quicker at the request of the Lord Advocate. Officers have nicked dozens of suspects since a gang war erupted in March, with Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill, 31, said to have ordered the carnage. Cops have had to investigate a wave of firebombings, machete attacks and murder bids on associates of caged Edinburgh cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson, 38, and his allies in Glasgow's notorious Daniel crew. Advertisement The report reads: 'Forensic Services is working closely with Police Scotland and COPFS colleagues to support Operation Portaledge which is the investigation into organised gang violence in the East and West of Scotland. 'Fifty-five arrests have been made and the specialist forensic support provided by Forensic Services has made a significant contribution to many of these. 'Within Forensic Services this work has consisted of more than 91 cases with more than 227 individual packages of work which are being undertaken across disciplines involving many staff.' Ms Douglas goes on to explain the need for urgency in dealing with the wave of cases with Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC stepping in to press home the point. Advertisement She wrote: 'At the request of the Lord Advocate these cases are being expedited to ensure that intelligence and evidential reports are provided at the earliest opportunity. 'In order to support this important operation, further overtime is being worked across the relevant teams however there will inevitably be an impact on some of the routine casework being undertaken within the service. 'Managers will continue to liaise with Police Scotland and COPFS colleagues to ensure that this does not impact on high priority casework and discussions will continue within the Forensic Performance Operational Group.' The issue will be discussed at the SPA meeting tomorrow. Advertisement We told this week how ex-Union Bear McGill, of East Kilbride, is being backed in his gangland turf war by top mob boss Jamie 'Iceman' Stevenson. McGill has got the 'full protection' of feared criminals linked to the caged 60-year-old cocaine kingpin. A source said: 'McGill follows instructions via associates of Stevenson, who is still pulling the strings.' The chaos was triggered by a fake cash scam involving cocaine that belonged to jailed godfather Stevenson. Advertisement A wave of violence erupted across the Central Belt in March after dealers stung the mob supremo's rising star McGill with £500,000 in counterfeit notes. Cops have so far arrested 55 suspects as part of the Operation Portaledge crackdown on the worst explosion of gangland violence in years. But tensions between rival groups escalated further after the murders of Lyons gang chiefs Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, on May 31 in Fuengirola, Spain. Scots cops at first dismissed a link to their arch enemies the Daniels but Spanish authorities insisted the double killing is linked to a decades-long conflict between the crime crews. Advertisement Michael Riley, 44, of Liverpool, is in custody facing extradition to Spain charged with the murders.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Case of suspect charged over gang sex attacks on two men in Glasgow in 2003 'under consideration' by Crown Office
A suspect charged last week in connection with violent gang sex attacks on two men more than 20 years ago is yet to appear in court. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) told Sky News a report had been received from Police Scotland, with the circumstances of the case remaining "under consideration". Late on Saturday 13 September 2003, a 22-year-old man was physically and sexually assaulted by three men who had approached him in a park near to the River Kelvin in . About two hours later, in the early hours of Sunday 14 September 2003, a 25-year-old man was also physically and sexually assaulted by three men. More than two decades on, a 56-year-old man was arrested and charged on Thursday in connection with both incidents. A Crown Office spokesperson said: "A standard prosecution report has been received by the procurator fiscal from Police Scotland in relation to a 56-year-old man and alleged criminal behaviour between September and November 2024. "The circumstances remain under consideration." Read more from Sky News: Police said the investigation remains ongoing to identify and trace two other male suspects. The force also urged those who may have been the victim of a similar attack to come forward. Detective Inspector John Dowds said: "These incidents were frightening and distressing for the victims who have had to wait over 20 years for someone to be arrested in connection with what happened. "Time really is no barrier to a police investigation. We are committed to exploring all lines of enquiry and using advancements in forensics to ensure suspects are identified."
Glasgow Times
05-08-2025
- Glasgow Times
Verdict of FAI into death of Glasgow schoolboy Shéa Ryan
Shéa Ryan died after falling down an open manhole on July 16, 2020, after gaining access to a construction site in the north-west of Glasgow through an unsecured fence along with a number of other children. A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the 10-year-old's death was held between August 26 to September 9 last year. Now, the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) confirmed the determination from the discretionary FAI has been published. In his determination, Sheriff Stuart Reid found that there were five reasonable precautions that could have been taken by Amey Black & Veatch and RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited, which may have realistically resulted in Shéa's death being avoided. Sheriff Reid also made eight recommendations within a 126-page document. READ NEXT: Report to prosecutors after Frank McAveety charged Seven were for the health and safety executive to review existing practises, policies, and procedures and to consider revising them. These included a review of published guidance to protect children, record incidents of perimeter breaches, prevent unauthorised access to incomplete manholes and promote cooperation and information sharing between principal contractors. The eighth recommendation was that Glasgow City Council and other local authorities should review and consider revising practises, procedures, and policies to ensure that risk assessments are carried out for children's play parks where there are nearby construction sites. READ NEXT: Man dies after falling out window in Glasgow city centre Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: 'Shéa Ryan's tragic death has been a catastrophic loss for his family. 'They have my deepest sympathy as they continue to deal with the pain they have suffered. Shéa's death occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry was instructed. 'The sheriff's determination is detailed and notes recommendations in relation to reasonable precautions that could have been taken to avoid Shéa's death and identified learning to help avoid such incidents happening to other children in the future. 'This FAI followed a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the Procurator Fiscal, who ensured that the full facts and circumstances of Shéa's death were presented in evidence.' This FAI followed the prosecution of RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited in April 2023 for a contravention of health and safety legislation, which led to Shéa's death. The Procurator Fiscal decided that it was in the public interest to hold an FAI to examine the full circumstances surrounding Shéa's death. It was also held to identify the learning and help to avoid such incidents in the future. Unlike a criminal trial, an FAI seeks to establish the facts surrounding the death and is not a hearing which apportions blame. A spokesperson for Digby Brown Solicitors, who represented the family of Shea Ryan, said: 'This determination shows Shea's death was an avoidable tragedy. Despite concerns being raised about the unauthorised access at the site, the main contractors failed to take steps to secure it and deal with hazards which might have prevented Shea's death. 'There will never be the words that accurately describe the anger, pain and grief Shea's family is continuing to feel five years since that night. 'The recommendations by Sheriff Reid for the Health and Safety Executive to revise guidance to ensure the safety of children are welcome. 'Maintaining perimeter fencing and properly securing manholes should already be an essential part of maintaining a construction site. 'It is hoped these changes will ensure contractors will share information about instances of unauthorised access, damage to perimeter fencing and other equipment will prevent any future harm or fatalities on construction sites."
