CHARLES MCKENNA'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN STIRLING: EX-TEACHER'S FREEDOM RAISES OUTRAGE

In a startling turn of events, Charles McKenna, an 89-year-old former woodwork teacher from Stirling, who was convicted of abusing vulnerable pupils at St Ninian's List D School in the late 1970s, has been released from custody following an appeal. The Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh reduced his original two-year prison sentence by half, citing his health issues and the circumstances surrounding his case.

McKenna's conviction in 2003 stemmed from allegations that he engaged in indecent assault and lewd conduct involving at least three pupils at the school, which was situated on the Gartmore Estate near Stirling. The institution, operated by the de la Salle teaching order, primarily catered to boys who had committed minor offenses or were deemed in need of care. The school ceased operations in 1982, but the scars of the abuse persisted.

During the trial, evidence was presented that McKenna had fondled multiple students, with three pupils testifying to his inappropriate behavior. Despite his conviction, McKenna appealed, and he was granted bail on January 23, 2004, while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. His initial appeal was dismissed in June of the same year.

Yesterday, at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh, McKenna’s legal representative, Andrew Brown, argued that the original two-year sentence was excessively harsh. He pointed out that another staff member from the same school, Michael Murphy, had his sentence reduced from two years to just one for similar offenses. Brown also highlighted McKenna’s ongoing health problems, including prostate cancer, which he claimed should be taken into account.

Lord Osborne, presiding alongside Lord Eassie, acknowledged the passage of time and the circumstances since 2003. He stated that the original sentence could be viewed as excessive and decided to reduce it to a single year. The court also noted that McKenna had effectively served his sentence, as he had already been released on bail and had spent six months in custody.

In a related and disturbing chapter, McKenna’s history includes a scandal involving his attempt to gain employment with a prominent children’s charity, the Aberlour Child Care Trust. In May 2003, it was revealed that McKenna, who was then 82, had lied about his background to secure a volunteer position with the organization, which works with children with learning disabilities, troubled youth, and families affected by substance abuse.

McKenna, nicknamed “Lurch” by boys he abused, had been hired after responding to a newspaper advertisement seeking mentors. He claimed to have been vetted and cleared, asserting that he had built a father-figure relationship with an eight-year-old boy he met through the charity. However, his cover was blown when police investigations uncovered his past allegations of abuse dating back to his teaching days at St Ninian’s.

Following the revelations, the charity swiftly took action to sever all contact between McKenna and the child he had befriended. Romy Langeland, the Chief Executive of Aberlour, expressed her shock and regret over the situation. She explained that despite thorough vetting procedures, McKenna had initially passed all background checks, which prompted the organization to review and tighten their screening processes.

Ms. Langeland emphasized that the charity took immediate steps to isolate McKenna once the police investigation was underway, ensuring he had no further contact with the child. She also reassured the public that there was no evidence of any misconduct involving the child during McKenna’s brief association with the charity.

Child abuse campaigner Sandra Brown of the Moira Anderson Foundation voiced her concerns about the vulnerability of children’s charities to predators like McKenna. She warned that such organizations are often targeted by paedophiles seeking access to children and their families, which can lead to grooming and exploitation. Brown also suggested that some individuals might attempt to use employment or volunteer roles as a means to create alibis for past abusive behavior.

McKenna, who resides on Colquhoun Street in Stirling, had applied to the charity claiming that he was seeking a new purpose after retirement. His contact with the vulnerable boy lasted several years until allegations from his past surfaced at the end of 2000, leading to restrictions on his contact with the child and his family.

Despite his claims of innocence and dismissive attitude towards accusations, McKenna was convicted of three child abuse charges, alongside other accomplices. One of his co-defendants, Michael Murphy, a 69-year-old retired De La Salle monk known as Brother Benedict, was found guilty of ten charges, including torture, assault, and sadistic acts against pupils. Another accomplice, Jimmy McKinstrey, aged 70, from Port of Menteith, was convicted of four sexual abuse charges, despite his defense claiming he was mentally impaired.

McKenna’s case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding child protection and the dangers posed by individuals with a history of abuse who seek to re-enter environments where they can access vulnerable children. His release has sparked outrage and concern among advocacy groups and the wider community in Stirling and beyond.