Campbell backs decision for ‘sadistic’ teacher to avoid jail
NICKY CAMPBELL has backed a decision not to jail his “sadistic” former teacher who was responsible for a violent reign of terror at a top private school.
John Brownlee, 80, who was a housemaster at the Edinburgh Academy, was found by a Scottish court last month to have physically and emotionally abused dozens of children, causing lasting “mental terror”, between 1967 and 1991.
However, Brownlee will face no punishment because of advanced dementia, having been deemed unfit to face a criminal trial. An earlier hearing heard had he been put in the dock, he would have likely recited Latin and facts about football, such is his cognitive state.
“It doesn’t matter that he’s not going to jail,” said the BBC broadcaster, who gave evidence against Brownlee. “The old man is not John Brownlee any more. He is just a shell of the man he was.
“I feel sorry for his family. I can understand their wish to defend his honour, his legacy and his reputation.
“Dementia is a terrible thing. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I don’t think it would feel comfortable for anyone to see an old man carted off to prison while unable to understand why he’s going there.”
In a ruling last month, Brownlee was found to have assaulted some children with implements, such as a cricket bat, a snooker cue and a leather strap. Boys were slapped, kicked or punched, some of whom were left unconscious as a result of attacks upon them. The presenter, 62, said the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), which is currently investigating historical child abuse, should recommend support for victims.
A spokesman for the inquiry said: “SCAI has heard a wealth of evidence from applicants about how they feel their lives have been adversely affected in the long term as a result of their experiences in care.”