Join Fornethy Residential School historical child abuse survivors Kellie Fox, Annie Gray, Jean Pirnie, Lynne Sheerin, and Carol Whyte in conversation with Professor Diane Rasmussen about the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service's withdrawal of its appeal to reconsider the "unduly lenient" sentencing of the former Fornethy teacher and convicted abuser Patricia Robertson, also known as Baxter.
As reported by UK Column News on 23 March 2026, after Baxter was found guilty of 18 out of 25 abuse charges in October 2025, she was spared prison time at her sentencing in December 2025. Instead, she was sentenced to probation, three years' supervision, a 12-month restriction of liberty order, and compensation of £1,000 for each victim whose charge resulted in a conviction. A video that includes the UK Column's interviews with Fornethy survivors about the sentencing, and concludes with a related conversation between Brian Gerrish and Diane Rasmussen, offers insight into how the UK's justice system operates in cases of systemic child abuse and how it re-traumatises survivors.
The impact of the trial and its shocking result has taken an understandable toll on these brave survivors. After years of sustained work, which includes a petition to the Scottish Parliament for access to Scotland's redress scheme for historical institutional child abuse survivors, they demand an apology from Glasgow City Council. The council holds direct responsibility for everything that happened at Fornethy and brought Baxter to trial. The survivors are now angry and exhausted. This is a prime example of how courts function in ways that obscure accountability for institutional child abuse that has occurred, and continues, throughout the UK.
These brave survivors will keep fighting to receive the justice they deserve. Likewise, UK Column will continue to support them and report on their battle for as long as required.
UK Column's complete coverage of the Fornethy Residential School case dates back to 2022. It includes written articles, videos, and news segments, and can be viewed on its website.
