Former teacher guilty of historical abuse of girls at Fornethy House avoids jail

A retired teacher guilty of the historical abuse of children at a former residential school in Angus has avoided jail.

Patricia Robertson, now known as Baxter, faced a total of 25 charges, which took place at Fornethy House between 1967 and 1983.

The 77-year-old was found guilty of 18 charges involving the cruel and unnatural treatment of children in her care, including force-feeding them until they gagged, striking them with a ruler and dragging them by their hair.

Robertson appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, where Lord Colbeck said the offences had passed the “custody threshold”.

He added that a prison sentence can only be imposed on someone who has never been in jail before if it is deemed that there is no appropriate alternative.

The judge concluded that he had decided instead to put Robertson on probation, involving being supervised for three years.

Robertson was also ordered to pay the 18 victims compensation of £1,000 each, which has to be done within two months.

She will further be subject to a restriction of liberty order keeping her at home between 3pm and midnight for the next 12 months.

‘Cruel and sadistic’

In his remarks, Lord Colbeck was scathing of Robertson, insisting it was “frankly absurd” that she had claimed in a pre-sentencing report the women had lied for financial gain.

He further stated: “Many of the victims were particularly vulnerable due to poverty and family circumstances.

“The majority had never had a proper holiday before. They all thought their stay at Fornethy would be an adventure.

“They spoke of their excitement of going – such thoughts appeared to have ended when the doors closed, and the horror began.

“It is clear you behaved in a cruel and sadistic manner. The examples are too numerous to mention.

“Everyone who gave their evidence did so in a brave and dignified manner.

“It is not an exaggeration to suggest that the behaviour contributed to what, in effect, was a life sentence for many or all of your victims.”

It was said to offer “convalescent care” for girls aged between five and 12 for up to eight weeks at a time.

Former teacher punched and kicked child

Robertson, now of Witham in Essex, was found to have punched and kicked a child aged 11, forced her to remove her clothing and made her stand in a cold room for a prolonged period.

The same child also had a postcard written for her mum ripped up, and was slapped on the face.

Glasgow City Council has apologised to the girls abused at Fornethy House STV News

Another child, aged between five and 11, had derogatory remarks made to her, had food forced into her mouth, and a shoe and blackboard duster hurled at her, as well as being dragged by the hair.

Robertson was also convicted of forcing a child to walk when her feet were injured, making another sleep in soiled bedsheets and ridiculing them for bedwetting.

The former teacher had denied the accusations during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

She accepted having a “strong voice” when dealing with the girls, but insisted she was not violent or bullied them.

Thousands of girls from disadvantaged backgrounds were sent to Fornethy House in Kilry, for “short-term respite care” by Glasgow Corporation – later renamed Glasgow City Council – and its education services between 1960 and the 1990s.

The stays often lasted several weeks before the children were returned to their parents.

In the years following the school’s closure, hundreds of survivors began speaking out about the physical and sexual abuse they had endured.

The court heard how one victim believed she ended up at Fornethy twice following an arrangement between her own school, her local council and her family.

She did not recall being taught regular subjects – such as English and maths.

Instead, the woman spoke of playing games and tasks such as going for long walks and flower pressing.

Mark Stewart KC, defending, said Robertson continued to have a “fairly positive teaching career” after Fornethy.

He had asked for an alternative to Robertson being jailed. The advocate added that Robertson lived off her pension and savings that she had.

‘She can’t hide from what she’s done’

In a statement released through Digby Brown Solicitors, one survivor who helped secure a conviction said: “Patricia Robertson’s lack of remorse for hurting me and other helpless girls proves what a wicked women she is.

“She is a shameful monster and she can’t hide from what she’s done.

“We were abused by her and bore witness to the violence we each suffered.

“Her being found guilty proves we have been heard and believed.”

Digby Brown is now supporting several women with separate civil claims relating to abuse at Fornethy House.

Catherine Hammond, senior associate for Digby Brown in Edinburgh, added: “Fornethy House was meant to be a safe place for young girls to create happy memories but instead they were left with lifelong trauma.

“I would like to commend our client and each person who has spoken about their experiences – whether they’ve reported their accounts to the police or confided in a loved one, it all helps break the walls of silence which perpetrators rely on to escape punishment.

“The conviction of Robertson will be welcome for many but this will not necessarily mean ‘closure’ as wounds do not end just because court proceedings do – this is why we remain committed to helping every survivor access the means to a more positive future and the recognition they deserve.”

Laura Connor from the Life Impact Team at Thompsons Solicitors, which represents 220 survivors from Fornethy House, said: “While the sentence falls short of what we believe is appropriate given the scale of abuse inflicted, we must remember that this perpetrator has been found guilty of abusing children – a significant legal outcome that remains unchanged.

“The extent of the abuse and the lifelong harm caused will never be erased and today’s decision should be considered along with the judge’s speech which made clear the scale of her deprivation and lack of remorse.”

A number of the survivors who secured guilty verdicts in the recent case have spoken out on their fight for justice.

Carol Whyte said: “I wanted her to receive a custodial sentence because when I was at Fornethy House it felt like a prison to me. However I never thought I’d see this day – I was actually believed. It took a lot for survivors to come forward, so well done to all of them. It’s just unfortunate that some are no longer here to see that justice has been done.

“I’d like to thank Dundee Police for investigating, to thank the High Court in Glasgow and the jury for reaching the guilty verdicts, and everyone else who has supported survivors in getting this case put forward and securing the conviction. It is a great day for all Fornethy survivors getting justice”

Angela, who asked to keep her surname confidential, added: “What happened to me and the other children at that school was unbelievable. I was imprisoned – not allowed to see my parents or siblings or even talk about my family. There was no nurture – they didn’t think about our feelings or emotions. I cried every day, yet if they saw you crying they punished you. It makes me emotional to this day even although it was fifty years ago.

“The guilty verdict was like closing a really bad chapter in my life – it was only for five weeks but it felt like a lifetime and it’s hard to get over it. The sentence itself isn’t what matters to me at this stage. She now knows she hasn’t got away with what she has done. I’m thankful and grateful that my voice has now been heard after all these years. For me, that’s what matters more than anything.”

Witness Number 4 (anonymous) said: “I am delighted that Robertson was found guilty for the abuse I endured at Fornethy house. It has restored my faith in the justice system that historical abuse cases are being listened to and being supported.

“Although not all victims were successful in the trial to get their guilty verdict, we all stand as one. United together, we will continue to support one another but my heart goes out to those victims that have passed away before the trial. I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication to this long process which has resulted in 18 guilty verdicts.”

Another survivor, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “As a Fornethy survivor it has been a lifelong battle. It took me a long time to understand the impact of the abuse I suffered as a child. It affects you in so many ways. It’s hard to navigate life. The scars are far reaching. The nightmares continue. I am absolutely delighted with the verdict against Mrs Robertson. It validates the lifelong pain it has caused to me, my family and all Fornethy survivors.

“Mrs Robertson is only a very small part of the abuse suffered by so many children at Fornethy. It was a regime. A very cruel, cold, terrifying place. I can’t fathom how people can be cruel to others. We need justice for all survivors.

“I would like to thank all MPs who continue to support us from the public Petitions Committee meetings regarding our petition to be accepted for Redress. It means the world to us to be supported.

“We were let down at every level when children. The Scottish government and Glasgow City Council continue to let us down. No apologies.

“Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister John Swinney, former deputy first Minister Shona Robison. Deputy first minister Kate Forbes now has the chance to make this right. To recognise abuse suffered really matters to all survivors not the few. All survivors who have been fighting this injustice since childhood. To all who didn’t make it, we fight on in your name and for all future children.”