Home   News   Article

Former monk Denis Alexander "caused victims more distress" by fighting extradition to face sexual assault charges linked to his time at former Fort Augustus Abbey School in the Highlands


By Ali Morrison

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Denis Alexander was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Denis Alexander was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Denis Alexander has been jailed for abusing two boys in the 1970s, after more than five years of legal proceedings.

Alexander was a teacher at the former Fort Augustus Abbey boarding school when the offences took place.

His victims were between 12 and 14 years old.

The 85-year-old former monk of the Benedictine Order and now a priest pleaded guilty to two charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices at the High Court in Edinburgh last month.

Today he was jailed for four years and five months and told he would be subject to deportation proceedings to return him to Australia where he moved after leaving the Fort Augustus school and has citizenship.

Prosecutors initially sought his extradition from Australia in 2016 after his victims came forward, but it was contested by Alexander.

Denis Alexander.
Denis Alexander.

He was eventually returned to Scotland last year.

Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences Fraser Gibson said: “Denis Alexander contested his extradition and only admitted guilt after more than five years of proceedings.

"By refusing to acknowledge his crimes earlier he caused his victims more distress and I hope this conviction goes some way towards providing resolution for them.

"The co-operation of both the Australian authorities and Police Scotland was vital to securing this conviction, underlining the value of the strong international and domestic relationships Scotland's prosecutors work hard to maintain.”

Related article: Priest jailed for abusing pupils


View our fact sheet on court reporting here




This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More