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 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 Glasgow Sheriff Court 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 sssociate 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.”