Victim to sue over abuse by monster monk

Council and sect facing a six-figure claim

AN ABUSE survivor is suing a Catholic sect and a council after being beaten and assaulted by a notorious monk.

Brother Benedict – real name Michael Murphy – subjected eight schoolboys to a string of attacks at St Joseph’s List D School in Tranent, East Lothian, during the 70s.

He electrocuted pupils, locked them in cupboards, beat them with canes and sexually assaulted them.

Murphy, part of the De La Salle Brothers, was jailed for seven years in 2016 after being found guilty on 15 charges at the High Court in Edinburgh. One of his victims is now seeking a six-figure sum in damages from East Lothian Council and the De La Salle Brothers.

The survivor said: “Brother Benedict ruined not just my childhood but my adult life.

“He abused his position while working alongside the council and the church to fulfil his sick desires.

“I hope to be able to find the means to rebuild my life.”

The man, now in his 50s, was first attacked by Murphy in 1973. He was caned, belted, stripped and spat on.

He was once held in a dark room and beaten until he blacked out. He was not electrocuted, unlike others.

Murphy was also jailed for a year in 2003 for abusing pupils from St Ninian’s List D School, Stirlingshire.

Kim Leslie, partner and specialist abuse lawyer at Digby Brown Solicitors, confirmed the civil action in relation to his latest conviction.

She said: “An action has been raised on the grounds of vicarious liability against the local authority and the De La Salle Brothers.”

East Lothian Council said that it would be “inappropriate to comment”. The De La Salle Brothers did not comment.