Crown appeal 'unduly lenient' sentence of former teacher guilty of abuse at Fornethy House

The Crown Office has lodged an appeal against the “unduly lenient” sentencing of a former teacher found guilty of the historical abuse of children at a former residential school in Angus.

Patricia Robertson, now known as Baxter, faced a total of 25 charges, which took place at Fornethy House between 1967 and 1983.

The 77-year-old was found guilty of 18 charges involving the cruel and unnatural treatment of children in her care, including force-feeding them until they gagged, striking them with a ruler and dragging them by their hair.

Robertson was told at the High Court in Glasgow that the offences passed the custody threshold but that a prison sentence can only be imposed on someone who has never been in jail before if it is deemed that there is no appropriate alternative.

The judge decided instead to put Robertson on probation, involving being supervised for three years.

Glasgow & West

Former teacher guilty of historical abuse of girls at Fornethy House avoids jail

Patricia Robertson has been ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to each of her 18 victims.

Robertson was also ordered to pay the 18 victims compensation of £1,000 each, which has to be done within two months.

She will further be subject to a restriction of liberty order keeping her at home between 3pm and midnight for the next 12 months.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has confirmed that an appeal has been lodged following “careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances”.

COPFS are able to appeal the sentencing of a convicted criminal on very rare occasions.

A spokesperson said: “Following full and careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances, the Crown has lodged an appeal against sentence on the grounds that it is unduly lenient.

“As proceedings are active it would not be appropriate to comment further.”