Former Pupil at School Run by Nuns Was "Hit with Carpet Beater"

STV
April 29, 2013

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/223372-dalbeth-school-abuse-trial-hears-nun-hit-girl-with-carpet-beater/

Court: The two nuns deny assaulting eight girls at the Bishopton school.HEMEDIA / SWNS Group

A former pupil at an approved school told a court a nun hit her repeatedly with a carpet beater.

Kathleen Humphries claimed that she had been battered by Anne Kenny, 79, known as Mother Rosaria, while at the facility in Renfrewshire.

Kenny and Agnes Reville, 77, known as Mother Martin, deny assaulting eight girls at Dalbeth Approved School in Bishopton in the 1970s.

On Monday, the jury at Paisley Sheriff Court heard from 56-year-old Ms Humphries.

She told prosecutor Douglas Hamilton: "She battered me about the body with it every couple of days. She threw me across the room and hit me with the carpet beater when I was on the floor. I was screaming."

Ms Humphries was asked if there was any reason for this and replied: "I was trying to run away." She also claimed that she was shut in a cupboard in Mother Rosaria's office twice.

Mr Hamilton asked: "Were you assaulted with anything else?" She replied: "She dug into my ribs with a riding crop. She had a carpet beater at one side of her desk and a carpet beater at the other side."

Ms Humphries was asked why if she was being hit and screaming the office staff who were in the next room had heard nothing and she replied: "What I said happened."

She admitted having previous convictions for dishonesty, but claimed that she was telling the truth.

The trial also heard that DC Lesley McAuley, also known as Lesley Strachan, was in charge of the police investigation into alleged wrongdoing at the school.

DC McAuley was last year identified in newspaper reports as wearing a Loyalist 'No Surrender' badge on her uniform while working at a Rangers football game.

Her colleague Sergeant Nigel Gilmour confirmed the police officer was taken off football duties but not suspended. He confirmed Ms McAuley is now facing criminal charges in respect of a completely different matter at a summary trial next month over an alleged assault.

The trial before Sheriff Susan Sinclair continues.