Robert Francis Mone
Summary
Name:
Robert Francis MoneYears Active:
1967Status:
ImprisonedClass:
MurdererVictims:
1Method:
ShootingNationality:
ScotlandRobert Francis Mone
Summary: Murderer
Name:
Robert Francis MoneStatus:
ImprisonedVictims:
1Method:
ShootingNationality:
ScotlandYears Active:
1967Date Convicted:
January 23, 1968bio
Robert Mone was born in 1948 in Dundee, Scotland. He endured a tumultuous childhood, marked by an abusive father and the trauma of being raped by a family friend at the age of 12. Following his expulsion from St John's Roman Catholic High School in 1964, Mone joined the Gordon Highlanders and served in the British Army of the Rhine in Germany. His time in the military was marred by disciplinary issues and heavy drinking, leading to his absence without leave (AWOL) status shortly before the events of November 1, 1967.
murder story
On November 1, 1967, Robert Mone, then 19 years old and AWOL from his army unit, entered a girls' needlework class at St John's Roman Catholic High School in Dundee. Armed with a shotgun and wearing his military uniform, he held 14- and 15-year-old pupils and their pregnant teacher, Nanette Hanson, captive for approximately 90 minutes. Mone's actions were believed to be motivated by a desire for revenge following his expulsion from the school three years prior.
During the ordeal, Mone forced the students to barricade the classroom doors and fired several rounds at the door when staff attempted to intervene. He sexually assaulted multiple students and attempted to shoot both Hanson and 18-year-old nurse Marion Young, whom he had requested be brought to the scene; however, his gun misfired. Hanson and Young managed to persuade Mone to release the students. Despite their efforts to deescalate the situation, Mone shot Hanson in the back, fatally wounding her. She was taken to Dundee Royal Infirmary, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Mone was apprehended at the scene and subsequently found to be insane during his trial on January 23, 1968, leading to his committal to the State Hospital in Carstairs. In 1976, Mone escaped from Carstairs alongside another inmate, resulting in the deaths of three individuals during their breakout attempt. Mone was later recaptured and remains incarcerated, serving a life sentence for his crimes.
Nanette Hanson was posthumously awarded the Albert Medal for her bravery during the incident, which was later replaced by the George Cross. Her actions are credited with saving the lives of the students under her care.
