Council hired Fife predator despite child abuse allegations at previous school

A child sex abuser was hired by a Fife Council school in the 1970s despite allegations at his previous institution.

David Logan Murphy abused 18 boys between 1960 and 1985 at St Margaret’s Children’s Home in Elie and Linnwood Hall School in Leven.

Murphy was appointed senior house manager at Linnwood Hall in 1976 despite being suspended over allegations made against him at St Margaret’s.

Survivors’ questions over how he initially evaded justice were aired at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry on Wednesday.

Abuse at Ovenstone and Melville House

The inquiry also heard of abuse at other local authority residential schools in Fife: Ovenstone Residential School, Pittenweem, and Melville House, Cupar.

Fife Council bosses James Ross and Maria Lloyd issued “heartfelt apologies” to those who had been abused as children at the schools.

When Murphy was appointed to Linnwood Hall, a former Fife Regional Council education manager had urged caution given “rumours” about his conduct with children.

Mr Ross, Fife Council head of service for children, families and social work, told the inquiry: “There was a positive view that was held of Mr Murphy, [a view] that was against the views of the children.

“That enabled him to be a powerful person and be reintegrated back into childcare settings.”

In 2001, Murphy admitted abusing boys between 1960 and 1985, using a variety of threats, promises and gifts to obtain their silence and gratify his appetite.

Offences perpetrated on his youngest victims began when they were just seven years old.

While complaints against Murphy were made to police and social services as far back as 1973, it was only when a victim raised the matter again in early 1999 that he was eventually brought to justice.

One victim awarded £120,000 in compensation from Fife Council said he had been unable to talk about the impact on his life.

The predator died in HMP Peterhead in 2003 aged 72, just two years after his conviction.

Fife Council apology

Referring to abuse at all three schools, Mr Ross said: “As a local authority we are sorry about the impact this has had on these young people’s lives.”

Maria Lloyd, head of education, said recruitment procedures were now far more robust.

The inquiry was told children at Linnwood would be “rewarded” by being allowed to stay at the school over the weekend.

Their families would be told they didn’t want to come home, with abuse then taking place.

At Ovenstone, a points system described by Ms Lloyd as “outdated and derogatory” rewarded and punished pupils’ behaviour.

Points would be awarded and withdrawn at public meetings of staff and pupils, where incidents including bed-wetting would be discussed.

Log books revealed corporal punishment, including use of the ‘slipper’, continued there as other Fife schools were ordered to stop using it in the early 1980s.

At Melville House, use of control and restraint was ongoing despite external inspectors repeatedly raising concerns throughout the early 1990s.

The three schools discussed at the inquiry closed around 1998 as Fife Council moved towards smaller settings for looked after children.

‘We don’t wait until someone is convicted’

Mr Ross revealed children and parents were not believed when they made complaints or raised concerns.

Ms Lloyd said Fife Council has a very different approach today.

She said: “Our starting point is believing, because we encourage children and young people to come forward with complaints.

“We do find that where they are quite detailed these tend to be true.

“We then investigate to find out the facts. Certainly we don’t wait until someone is convicted.

“We suspend immediately. That’s to protect both the child or young person and the adult from any further accusations.”

The inquiry, chaired by Lady Smith, heard on Tuesday how a nine-year-old was knocked down and killed as he tried to escape Corsbie Hall, in Thornton, in 1972.