A former pupil at a Moray public school has spoken out about the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of a teacher.
John Findlay has called on Gordonstoun bosses to take more responsibility for the alleged abuse, which happened at its former prep school.
The 37-year-old made the plea as he described how he had been assaulted in his dormitory by a teacher – who was sacked, but went on to work elsewhere.
Gordonstoun said it had helped police with their investigations, and that it was “awful” the teacher had been able to hide his past and go on to teach abroad.
Mr Findlay said he was 12 and at the school’s Aberlour House when he was assaulted after being injured in a rugby game.
He claimed the teacher gave him strong painkillers and then sexually assaulted him while he struggled under the effect of the drugs.
After the 1990 incident the teacher suggested Mr Findlay had imagined the abuse as a result of the medication.
The police became involved, but after being assured the teacher would not return to a classroom ever again, his parents did not seek a prosecution.
Mr Findlay said: “I regret deeply that, even though I was only 12 at the time, I did not have the common sense to say ‘no, this person should be punished for this now’.”
The father-of-two said he held no ill-will against the school, but believed it needed to take more responsibility for what happened.
“They teach trust and responsibility, and therefore by that same element you shouldn’t shirk responsibility,” he said.
A Gordonstoun spokeswoman said: “We are very sad and sorry that John had this traumatic experience at Aberlour House in 1990 and have spoken with him and his family to convey this.
“Though we only have limited records from the time, we know that once the school was told about this instance of abuse the then headmaster responded immediately.
“The police were called and Aberlour House helped officers with their investigations.
“The teacher in question was sacked by Aberlour House in December 1990, having been at the school for three months.
“We understand that it was Aberlour House’s strong intention that he would not teach again and steps were taken to add him to the registered offenders list.
“It was awful to learn recently that he had been able to hide his past and teach again abroad.”
The school has pledged to help police officers investigating historic crimes on its grounds.