DENIS ALEXANDER, FORMER MONK, TO BE DEPORTED AFTER SCOTTISH CHILD ABUSE SENTENCE IN EDINBURGH

In July 2021, Denis Alexander, a former Benedictine monk associated with Fort Augustus Abbey in the Highlands, was sentenced to four years and five months in prison for child sexual abuse. Alexander, aged 85, had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices involving two boys, with offences occurring between 1973 and 1976 at the abbey school.

The sentence was backdated to January 2017, meaning it is now considered served, and Alexander is set to be deported. At his sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Burns condemned the abuse, stating that it was committed in "flagrant disregard" of the principles and beliefs he was supposed to uphold as a Benedictine monk.

Alexander was first publicly identified as a pedophile by a BBC Scotland documentary in 2013. One of his victims, Hugh Kennedy, now aged 58, later recounted how he was beaten, groomed, and sexually abused by Alexander.

Fort Augustus Abbey, located at the southern end of Loch Ness, had served as a monastery for over a century. The Benedictine monks there operated a prestigious, tuition-charging Catholic boarding school, regarded as one of the best in the country. During his time there, Alexander, who taught history and conducted yoga classes, preyed on children.

Lord Burns criticized Alexander, saying, "You have brought lasting shame on the order of which you were a member. You plead guilty to the sexual abuse of two young boys who were between 12 and 14 years old from 1973 to 1976. You were between 37 and 40 at the time." The judge emphasized that "that abuse is aggravated by the age of your victims and the position of trust and authority you held as a teacher and monk." He added, "These vulnerable young boys were entrusted to your care, and what you did was a gross abuse of the trust placed in you."

The prosecution highlighted that Alexander's case marked the culmination of a long pursuit of justice for his victims. Despite denying the allegations during a confrontation in Sydney over eight years prior, media investigations and a documentary titled "Sins of Our Fathers" eventually led to charges being brought forward. Alexander fought extradition, causing delays, but ultimately returned to the UK in January 2020 after legal battles.

Hugh Kennedy, who waived his anonymity, expressed feeling "empty, all in," and hopes to begin rebuilding his life. He criticized Alexander, stating, "He hasn't shown any genuine remorse for what he did to me and others. He remains the arrogant man I remember. If he had only admitted his guilt earlier, he could have saved us years of turmoil."

Alexander's crimes and the broader context of systemic abuse at Fort Augustus Abbey have shed light on a dark chapter. The institution's history of systematic physical and sexual abuse, conducted by monks including Father Aidan Duggan and others, had gone unreported for decades. This abuse included beatings, physical punishments, and molestation, often carried out under the guise of discipline.

Men like David and Christopher Walls, who attended the school in the late 1950s and early 1960s, described brutal treatment and grooming by monks such as Duggan, who was later identified as a prolific offender. One victim, Donald MacLeod, was raped by Duggan in 1962 at age 14. Many victims attempted to report the abuse, but were told to "stop telling lies" or face damnation.

Investigations revealed that past headmasters, all monks, failed to report allegations of abuse, with some choosing to ignore them or transfer offenders elsewhere. Notably, Fr. Francis Davidson, one of the last headmasters, stepped down recently following allegations he covered up abuses.

The recent case of Alexander is unique in that he is the only surviving accused monk still alive. Previously working as a priest in Sydney, he was tracked down following the 2013 BBC documentary. When confronted, he refused to cooperate, threatened to call police, and attempted to escape by driving his car into that of the investigator.

Alexander, known as Father Chrysostom during his teaching tenure, was also involved in teaching bagpipes at Fort Augustus. During the court proceedings, he observed silently from his wheelchair, with his legal team noting his poor hearing.

Overall, the scandal has uncovered a network of abuse involving up to ten monks, with around fifty former pupils coming forward, some of whom were sexually assaulted. The victims have declared they will no longer remain silent, pushing for justice and transparency.

The sentencing, which will lead to his deportation, was conducted despite Alexander’s protests and legal challenges. Advocate depute Jane Farquharson QC highlighted that his offences mirror wider, systemic abuse within both Fort Augustus and its associated preparatory school, Carlekemp. Both schools had been subjects of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, and the Benedictine Order has issued a formal apology for the abuse.

The case of Denis Alexander marks a significant step toward justice for countless victims who endured years of silence and suffering at the hands of those entrusted with their care.