Broadcaster gives evidence of 1970s school beating by teacher

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 15:19 · Archive

Nicky Campbell told a court a teacher attacked him at Edinburgh Academy in the 1970s.

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell gave evidence at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday and Thursday describing an alleged attack by a teacher at Edinburgh Academy, the private school he attended as a pupil. He said the incident occurred around 1975 or 1976 when he was 14 or 15, during summer exams.

Mr Campbell, now 65, told the court that Colin Turner grabbed him from behind near a noticeboard and threw him to the ground. He described being "rag-dolled" and said it lasted more than ten seconds. The Evening Standard reports that Mr Campbell said Turner "completely lost it" and that it was "a complete frenzy" during which he was "absolutely terrified". Turner allegedly slapped, hit, dragged and shook him before pushing him to the floor with his foot.

Colin Turner, 92, and David Bourne, 72, both retired teachers at Edinburgh Academy, are accused of attacking pupils in the 1970s. Both men have been assessed as medically unfit to stand trial and were not present in court. A sheriff is instead hearing evidence at a finding in facts hearing to determine whether there are grounds for conviction, rather than proceeding with a conventional trial.

How it is being reported

• Teacher ‘completely lost it’ in school attack, Nicky Campbell tells courtThe broadcaster was giving evidence during an examination of facts hearing involving two former teachers at the private Edinburgh Academy.Evening Standard · 8 Oct, 14:35
• Tearful Nicky Campbell: Teacher threw me to the ground like a rag doll... it was utterly terrifyingBroadcaster Nicky Campbell broke down in court yesterday while describing a beating he said he had endured at school half a century ago.Daily Mail · 7 Oct, 21:51

In this story: Nicky Campbell · Colin Turner · David Bourne · Edinburgh Academy · Edinburgh Sheriff Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem