Traumatised victims took years to face up to the reign of terror that has left them scarred for life
IT took three months, one of the longest cases of its kind because of the sheer number who bore witness, to find John Farrell and Paul Kelly guilty of years of horrific and sickening abuse against children.
Dozens of victims came forward to tell of beatings followed by bizarre shows of affection and then sexual abuse.
In all, 37 victims came forward to go ahead with evidence, the majority disclosing abuse at St Ninian’s School in Falkland, Fife, during the time of Farrell and Kelly’s reign of terror.
Police Scotland had to work with forces south of the Border to trace victims and the movements of the abusers.
Chief Inspector Nicola Shepherd, the lead officer, described a difficult journey for victims that is far from over. Insufficient evidence in a 20002002 probe meant no further action was taken then. It took 10 years for the breakthrough.
Ms Shepherd said: “In any case of this nature you are looking for mutual corroboration and that is what the Crown were looking for and what we would seek from witnesses and victims in this case.
“It started out with three independent victims coming forward and disclosing abuse. It’s not one that we take lightly because we understand how traumatic it is to approach victims and witnesses 40 years later and ask them to relive an experience they quite rightly chose to forget.
“So working alongside aid and support agencies working very closely with the Crown we made sure victims were treated professionally and with dignity and respect.”
Ms Shepherd continued: “There were a number of victims who came forward in the 2000 inquiry, ranging from four to five at this.
“In 2012 one came forward and two more in 2013.
“What came about was that the offences were largely unspoken about.
“They were spoken about when they were 11 to 15 but then not for 40 years.”
The criminal acts were committed systematically, the Ms Shepherd said.
“It was corporate-style beatings, assaults and then bizarrely followed by kindness and affection at times and then in many cases that led on to sexual offending.
“But definitely a culture of violence and intimidation took place at that school and the two men who are convicted today. I have no doubt that they knew the type of offences that each other were committing.”