Victims' fury as nun escapes jail

This story published September 30, 2000

Disgusted former Nazareth House residents have spoken of their fury after cruel nun Marie Docherty walked free. The nun, formerly known as Sister Alphonso, was admonished although she had been found guilty of cruelty to children in her care. Shouts of fury from the public gallery at Aberdeen Sheriff Court were followed by boos as the nun walked from court surrounded by police officers. Witnesses burst into tears as they claimed they had been cheated out of justice. "I'm absolutely sickened," said Grace McKenzie, 42, a former resident. "This is not even a slap on the wrist. I wanted to see her put behind bars. I wanted Alphonso to apologise. At the very least she should be stripped of her habit. "This is no justice after the stress we have been through." Outside the court, witnesses were joined by other former Nazareth House residents who had only learned of the trial in the last few weeks. They claimed to have also suffered abuse while staying at the home in the 1960s and said they were furious they had not been called as witnesses. "I'm disgusted," said Margaret Davenport, 43, a nurse who travelled to Aberdeen from Manchester for the sentencing. "I only heard about the trial on Sunday. I was also a victim of abuse at Nazareth House, and am angry I was not informed of the proceedings. "I came here in the hope justice would be done, but Sister Alphonso has got off without even having to give a public apology." Marie Docherty, 58, originally faced 23 charges, and was eventually con- victed of four, with the jury finding three other charges not proven. She was found guilty by a majority of physically abusing four girls, as young as eight, on various occasions over a 15-year period between 1965 and 1980. Her crimes included grabbing a girl by the hair, dragging her along corridors, smashing her head against a radiator and punching her on the head and body. Other girls were hit with a hairbrush, force fed, and one was pushed off a swing and knocked down. Another had dirty underwear thrown at her. Victim Jeanette Adams said she was outraged a prison sentence had not been imposed. Docherty was found guilty of repeatedly striking her on the head with a hairbrush, punching and slapping her on the head and body, pulling her hair, force-feeding her and ridiculing her. "How can she be allowed to go back into the community and care for elderly people after this? She should be disrobed and the Catholic Church should admit the wrong. that has been done. This is a shameful disgrace." Sister Marie was acquitted of charges made by Ellen Grant, 43, after the witness collapsed giving evidence and was taken to hospital. "I feel cheated," said Miss Grant. "I have been ill because of this trial, and she has got off scot- free." Sister Marie refused to comment on her sentence, but a statement was made on her behalf by her solicitor Jim Hay. He said: "Sister Marie has been cleared of allegations of systematic child abuse made against her by the prosecution. "She has been convicted of a tiny fraction of the original charges, by a majority verdict; these are not by any stretch of the imagination convictions for systematic child abuse. "Over a period of 40 years Sister Marie has provided outstanding care for countless children and old people. Had it not been for this prosecution Sister Marie would have continued her life of service to the elderly, the sick and the dying. "Sister Marie has been of exemplary character and the sentence of the court amply reflects this." This story first appeared in the Aberdeen Evening Express