Police 'bungled' Nazareth abuse case

Mr Currie alleges he was abused at Nazareth House

A man who claims he was sexually-abused at the Nazareth House children's home in Aberdeen has accused Grampian Police of bungling their investigation.
The force told Joseph Currie three years ago they could not proceed with a criminal investigation because his alleged abuser was dead.

However, Mr Currie said he has now been told he was alive until earlier this year.

Police have promised an urgent inquiry.

Joseph Currie claims that in the 1960s he was physically and sexually abused by a male helper at Nazareth House.

Joseph Currie: Claims police told him the man was dead

He made a detailed complaint to Grampian Police in 1997.

He said the police then told him the man was dead.

Mr Currie was in Aberdeen on Thursday to witness the sentencing of disgraced Nazareth House nun Marie Docherty.

She had been found guilty of four charges of cruel behaviour towards girls in her care at two homes in Midlothian and Aberdeen during the 1960s and 1970s.

Sister Marie escaped jail on Thursday when Sheriff Colin Harris decided that, because of her age and heart condition, a custodial sentence was not appropriate.

Mr Currie was surprised to be told by former residents of the Aberdeen home that his alleged abuser only died in May this year.

'Holiday' outcry

Helen Howie was a helper at Nazareth House in Aberdeen for 50 years until she retired in 1995.

She has confirmed the man Joseph Currie has named to BBC Scotland was a voluntary helper at the home.
Marie Docherty: Admonished

Grampian Police have promised to urgently investigate Mr Currie's complaint.

A spokesman said officers received information in good faith at the time of the original investigation.

The Roman Catholic Church was forced on Friday to retract a statement that Sister Marie was to be sent on holiday to the United States.

A spokesman for the Bishop of Aberdeen had indicated on Friday morning that she was going abroad for three months to "rest and recover".

The holiday announcement provoked an outcry from her victims and was retracted on Friday afternoon by a church spokesman who said it was a "misunderstanding".

She will, instead, be recuperating at Nazareth House in Aberdeen.