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40 staff abused pupils for 25 years

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By David Lister

The full extent of one of Britain’s biggest child abuse scandals became known yesterday when a report revealed that as many as 40 staff at a children’s residential school were guilty of physical and sexual abuse over decades.

Glasgow City Council faces a deluge of compensation claims after an investigation into abuse at Kerelaw school, in Stevenston, Ayrshire. It found that a “significant core of staff” were involved, while dozens more did nothing to intervene.

Fifteen former members of staff now face prosecution, five for sexual offences and ten for “multiple assaults”.

Two former members of staff – a former art teacher and a care manager – have already been jailed for sexual and physical abuse.

Glasgow council ran the school, which housed troubled young people, including serious offenders and those with family difficulties, until it was shut down last year. It said yesterday that its three-year investigation had uncovered “systemic failures” and a “culture of fear and collusion” that allowed the abuse to carry on unchecked for up to 25 years. It also admitted that some of those involved were now employed in other care homes.

A spokesman said: “The investigation found that a significant core of staff, including some managers, were directly involved in the abuse of young people while many others were unable or unwilling to act against this abuse.”

He added: “Within a culture of fear and collusion, it is evident that allegations from young people went unheard.”

Allegations of abuse, according to the report, included “assault, verbal abuse, inappropriate sexual behaviour, excessive restraint, wide ranging mismanagement and misconduct issues”. Although the report did not say how many children may have been abused since the school opened in the 1970s, it is estimated that the true figure could be in the hundreds.

According to anecdotal evidence, abuse allegedly ranged from children being ordered to stand against walls while staff aimed golf balls at them to pupils being forced to perform oral sex on their teachers.

About 20 compensation claims, each for an average of £50,000, have already been launched against the council, while settlements have been agreed in at least three cases. However, solicitors said last night that they expected a flurry of claimants to come forward after yesterday’s report.

Until it was closed in March last year, Kerelaw was Scotland’s most notorious centre for young offenders, housing up to 74 youngsters at a time.

Police and council officials began investigating allegations of abuse in 2004 after a tip-off from within the school.

However, although disciplinary action has been taken against all care workers identified, Glasgow council gave warning that some of those involved were in a position to abuse again.

David Comley, head of social work services, said: “The conclusion is that we have failed to listen to complaints from children and failed to take them seriously enough.”

He added: “None of the staff we have dismissed will be working in childcare. It is possible that [some of the others] are still working with children.”

Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, said that he would investigate a possible loophole that allowed those suspected of abusing children to continue working with them.

Annabel Goldie, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, urged Mr Salmond to “trace these individuals and to ensure that they are suspended from working with young people or other vulnerable individuals”.

Troubled past

2001 First sign of trouble at Kerelaw when a pupil, Graham Kerr, 14, dies of temazepam overdose

June 2004 Three staff suspended and six others redeployed after whistleblower makes first allegations of “excessive and inappropriate” restraint of children. Police investigation begins

August 2004 Glasgow City Council reveals that 19 Kerelaw staff are now under investigation for random and orchestrated physical abuse of children stretching over 16-year period

October 2004 Council decides to close Kerelaw after damning report by Care Commission and HM Inspectors of Education. More than 20 staff now suspended or transferred as police probe continues

September 2005 Kerelaw principal and deputy are sacked, although there is no suggestion that they are involved in abuse

December 2005 Matthew George, 56, an art teacher, and care worker John Muldoon, 52, go on trial at High Court in Glasgow, facing 51 charges of assault and serious sexual assault on pupils from 1975-2003. 28 staff now suspended

March 2006 Kerelaw closes

April 2006 George and Muldoon convicted and jailed for a total of 12 years. Police charge a further ten men and a woman September 2006 First out-of-court five-figure compensation deal offered to former Kerelaw pupil

April 2007 Elaine Graham, 37, charged at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court with having sex with 16-year-old pupil

June 2007 After three-year investigation Glasgow City Council publishes report revealing 40 staff abused children over decades

2007 Jun 15