Former Edinburgh PE Teacher Found Guilty of 27-Year Abuse Campaign

John Young, a former head of physical education at the prestigious Edinburgh Academy, was found by Edinburgh Sheriff Court to have systematically abused young boys over a 27-year period from 1966 to 1993. Despite being medically unfit to stand trial, an Examination of Facts hearing established 26 charges against him, including assault, indecent assault, lewd and libidinous behavior, and cruel treatment. Evidence from 24 former pupils and additional witnesses detailed physical violence such as hitting with cricket bats and megaphones, as well as severe sexual abuse, including exposing children, striking their genitals with a towel, and inappropriate physical contact. Victims described lifelong trauma and distrust of authority resulting from the abuse, with some alleging that many more pupils were victimized beyond those formally recognized. The court acknowledged the gravity of the offenses and publicly documented the facts, emphasizing that such abuse should never have occurred and urging victims to come forward. However, the sheriff decided not to place Young on the sex offenders register due to his health and the practicalities involved.