EDINBURGH TEACHER JOHN YOUNG GUILTY OF SYSTEMATIC ABUSE OVER 27 YEARS
A former PE teacher named John Young, also known as Jake, systematically abused boys at Edinburgh Academy over a period of nearly three decades, from 1966 to 1993.The court identified that Young inflicted a horrific campaign of abuse in which he used excessive corporal punishment and behaved indecently towards pupils.
He was found guilty of 26 out of 54 charges, including 10 counts of assault, three charges of indecent assault, and eight charges of lewd and libidinous behavior.
The offences occurred while he was heading the PE department of the private school in Edinburgh's Stockbridge area.
Evidence was taken from 24 former pupils and three witnesses during the hearing, revealing that he physically assaulted students, including punching, slapping, and beating them.
He also assaulted boys by striking their genitals with a towel, seizing and compressing their genitals, and grabbing their hands to wash genitals.
One former pupil recounted suffering a spinal injury during a rugby match but being forced to participate in PE where he had to lift heavy weights, which worsened his condition.
The court further heard that Young targeted boys who were not good at sports, physically hit them, mocked them, or body-shamed them.
He also enforced a disturbing rule where boys were not allowed to wear underwear under gym shorts, with Young checking if they were naked underneath.
Despite the findings, Young was not in court during the verdict as he was deemed unfit due to health issues, and no action was taken to place him on the sex offenders register at this stage.
The victims expressed their satisfaction with the court's decision, stating that it acknowledged their suffering and highlighted that he had exploited his position of trust in a systematic manner.
They emphasized the importance of justice and safeguarding, criticizing the school's handling of initial complaints and the lengthy duration of the abuse.
The prosecutor Fiona Kirkby from the Crown Office reaffirmed that the Crown would continue to strive for justice for victims of non-recent abuse, affirming that no matter how long ago the crimes occurred, perpetrators would be held accountable.
The court's findings made it clear that Young's actions included lewd and libidinous behavior, indecent assault, and cruel treatment, marking a significant step in acknowledging past abuse at Edinburgh Academy.
