Nicky Campbell, a BBC presenter and former pupil at Edinburgh Academy, was visibly emotional following a court revelation about a former teacher’s abuse at the school. John Brownlee, 89, was found to have subjected young boys to abuse between 1967 and 1991, according to a judgement by Sheriff Anderson. Although Brownlee, deemed medically unfit for trial and absent from court hearings, faced no criminal penalties, the abuse was documented as a matter of public record. The investigation uncovered that Brownlee had engaged in violent assaults and cruel acts towards children aged eight to 11, employing methods such as slapping, kicking, punching, and the use of implements like cricket bats and leather straps.

During the proceedings, testimonies from 42 former pupils were presented, detailing the physical and emotional torment they experienced. The Crown Office has made the abuse public, despite no punishment being issued to Brownlee. Campbell, who has been vocal about seeking accountability for the abuse he and others faced at the private school, highlighted the ruling as a crucial acknowledgement of the victims’ suffering. He shared that the abuse has left lasting scars on him and other victims, underscoring the importance of recognizing and believing their experiences.

The case has spotlighted the issue of historical child abuse, with the Procurator Fiscal emphasizing the importance of pursuing justice for those affected. The ruling not only brings public attention to the harrowing experiences of former Edinburgh Academy pupils but also serves as a significant step in acknowledging and documenting the extent of the abuse they suffered.