Pensioner to stand trial after Fornethy House abuse allegations
Patricia Robertson faces 26 charges in total
Last updated 13th Jan 2025
A pensioner is to stand trial accused of historical abuse of girls at a former residential school.
Patricia Robertson, 76, faces a total of 26 charges said to have occurred at Fortnethy House in Angus between 1967 and 1983.
The indictment lists a string of allegations of "cruel and unnatural" treatment of the girls including claims of physical violence.
Some of those involved are said to have been as young as four or five at the time.
It is claimed Robertson was responsible for their "care and protection" at Fortnethy.
Among the girls listed, one is said to have been ridiculed as well as forced to stand in a confined and dark space for a "prolonged period".
Prosecutors claim another had a postcard written for her mum ripped up and then she was slapped on the face.
It is alleged one girl had derogatory remarks made to her, she had food forced into her mouth, had a shoe and blackboard duster hurled at her as well as being dragged by the hair.
Robertson is also said to have got other children to "sing a song with degrading lyrics" towards another of the youngsters.
It is claimed she refused to free a further girl from a locked box and shouted at her.
Robertson, now of Witham in Essex, allegedly caused "unnecessary suffering and injury" to children mentioned on the indictment.
She also faces separate accusations of assault.
The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow where Robertson's legal team pleaded not guilty on her behalf.
The trial is expected to begin in September.
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