Kerelaw School in North Ayrshire Closed in 2006
A former physical education teacher has been found guilty of physically abusing children at a residential school.
Michael Neil, aged 72, confined children in the gym hall at Kerelaw in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, and struck them with golf balls.
The ex-footballer, who played for Arbroath and Clyde, committed so many assaults on pupils that a jury heard he was unable to recall all of them.
Neil, from Kilmarnock, was convicted of five offences against victims aged between 13 and 17, occurring from 1991 to 2003.
Investigation and Trial Details
Police Scotland stated that Neil was reported to the procurator fiscal in 2023 in connection with non-recent child abuse allegations.
The victims came forward following the conviction of two other former teachers at the same school.
During the trial, the victims recounted instances where Neil used sports equipment to strike them during PE classes.
In his closing statement at Paisley Sheriff Court, prosecutor Michael Cunningham said:
"These attacks were a normal part of everyday life. Just something that was normalised.
This was a course of conduct systematically pursued by Michael Neil.
These were very distressing and deeply personal matters that took place at that school."
Cunningham reported that testimony was heard from 10 former pupils who stated they were hit with golf balls or other sports balls at Kerelaw.
"This school, quite frankly, sounded like hell on earth."
Concerns Over Safety and Ongoing Investigation
In 2015, a dedicated team of specialist officers was established to investigate allegations of abuse at Kerelaw.
Police Scotland confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with detectives continuing to examine reports of non-recent child abuse.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Guy commented:
"Michael Neil subjected children, who were supposed to be in his care, to violent assaults to a degree that many feared for their safety whenever they went to school.
I'd like to thank those survivors who came forward to us and reported what happened to them.
Their co-operation and assistance has been instrumental in ensuring this conviction."
Det Chief Insp Guy urged anyone with information about child abuse, including non-recent offences, to contact the police.
"Anyone who reports this type of crime can be assured that no matter when the offences happened or who committed them, they will be fully investigated."
Sentencing was deferred until next month to allow for background reports, and Neil's bail was continued.
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