Scots monk Michael Murphy, 88, convicted for non-recent physical and sexual abuse of pupils at Stirling and East Lothian schools

An 88-year-old ex monk has been found guilty in connection with numerous incidents including sexual assault and physical violence, including ‘electric shocks’ while he was employed at schools in East Lothian and Stirling.
Scots monk Michael Murphy, 88, convicted for non-recent physical and sexual abuse of pupils at Stirling and East Lothian schoolsScots monk Michael Murphy, 88, convicted for non-recent physical and sexual abuse of pupils at Stirling and East Lothian schools
Scots monk Michael Murphy, 88, convicted for non-recent physical and sexual abuse of pupils at Stirling and East Lothian schools

Michael Murphy, 88, was found guilty in connection with numerous incidents of physical and sexual abuse at schools in Stirling and East Lothian and was convicted on Thursday September 30 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The incidents happened at St Ninian’s List D School in Gartmore and St Joseph’s in Tranent during the 1960s and 1970s and involved the use of physical violence, bullying and harassment and sexual assault and took place while he was employed at the schools.

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His previous convictions and subsequent prison sentences prompted more victims to come forward.

Police Scotland has said Murphy will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Inspector Craig Faulds, from Police Scotland’s Forth Valley Public Protection Unit, said: “For decades Michael Murphy carried out a litany of abuse against young and vulnerable pupils at both schools until he was first brought to justice for his crimes at St Ninian’s in 2003.

“His conviction and subsequent prison sentences prompted more victims to come forward and report similar incidents of assault, which the Public Protection Unit progressed, leading to further charges being brought against Murphy during his time at St Ninian’s and St Joseph’s.

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“This new conviction should reassure our communities that we are committed to investigating all reports of physical, emotional and sexual abuse whenever they may have occurred and will utilise all resources at our disposal to bring those responsible to justice."

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