An 83-year-old former monk accused of sexually abusing children over 40 years ago has appeared in court in Inverness.
Denis Alexander, who taught at Fort Augustus Abbey school on the shores of Loch Ness, was extradited this week from Australia, where he now lives.
Yesterday at Inverness Sheriff Court, he faced seven charges including indecent assault, assault to injury and lewd and libidinous practices.
Alexander, who has also been known as Father Chrystostom, was taken into the court building in a wheelchair.
Normally, petition appearances are held in number one courtroom of Inverness Castle.
But due to Alexander’s mobility difficulties, Sheriff Chris Dickson, fiscal depute Allison Young and court staff arranged for the hearing to be held in the cell block of the Castle.
It is believed Alexander arrived back in the UK on Thursday.
Alexander, who wore a grey tracksuit and carried a fleece, was represented by Inverness solicitor Clare Russell.
He appeared on seven charges – two of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices; three of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices; one indecent assault and the other an assault to injury.
He made no plea, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. Alexander will re-appear to be fully committed for trial within the next eight days.
His trial could be heard in the new Criminal Justice Centre, which replaces Inverness Castle as the legal hub at the end of March.
Because of the historic nature of the alleged offences, he will be prosecuted under the law that was applicable at the time.
Fr Alexander recently failed in a challenge to the decision to allow him to face trial in Scotland.
The Crown Office launched extradition proceedings in December 2016, but since then he has contested the move on health grounds.
Fr Alexander was arrested in Sydney almost three years ago.
Last month the Federal Court of Australia dismissed his case for a judicial review of the attorney general’s decision to extradite him to Scotland.
Fr Alexander had until 5 December to lodge an appeal against that ruling, but declined to do so.