Jail terms for school abuse pair

Two men found guilty of physically and sexually abusing troubled children in their care have been jailed.
Art teacher Matthew George, 56, was jailed for 10 years at the High Court in Edinburgh for a "horrifying catalogue" of 18 offences.

Residential care worker John Muldoon, 53, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail for four offences.

Both men worked at Kerelaw school, Ayrshire, closed last year, and had faced 85 charges dating back 30 years.

George, from Largs, subjected his victims to a series of physical and sexual assaults.

Judge Lady Paton jailed him for a "gross breach of trust". 

She said: "As a teacher at Kerelaw you were entrusted with the care of particularly troubled and vulnerable children.

"You have been convicted of a horrifying catalogue of offences against a number of children in gross breach of trust.

"You had power and authority over these children and you abused that power.

"Your victims suffered fear, misery, pain and humiliation."

Courtroom applause

Defence advocate Graeme Robertson said George still maintained he was innocent.

Muldoon, from Irvine, was found guilty of indecency by going into girls' bedrooms or showers and lying on one youngster's bed.

The men were led away from the dock to the sound of clapping and jeering from onlookers in a packed courtroom.

'So much pain'

Outside the court, a woman abused at Kerelaw said she would "never forget" her experience.

The 27-year-old woman, who is now a social worker, said: "They should have thrown away the keys.

"They put me through so much pain throughout my life.

"What they put me through in Kerelaw, I am never going to forget. At least I have got up there and given my evidence.

"I know they will never be able to put any other wean through what they put me through."

She described George's sentence as "just" but was disappointed Muldoon did not get a heavier sentence.

She added: "Fortunately these people will never work with young children again"

The woman said local authorities "have a long way to go" in keeping young people safe.