Ten arrested over alleged historical abuse at school for troubled Scots children

Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, was a secure establishment for vulnerable or troubled youngsters until 2004.

Prosecutors are examining reports into 10 people arrested in connection with alleged abuse at a residential school.

Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, was a secure establishment for vulnerable or troubled youngsters until 2004.

Last year, two people were jailed for abuse spanning between 1975 and 2004 at the school, involving 28 victims. Police confirmed a further 10 people have been arrested this year.

In January 2023, ex-art teacher Matthew George, 73, and ex-care worker John Muldoon, 69, were jailed for a total of 28 years.

The pair had previously been jailed in 2006 after being found guilty of a number of similar offences in relation to pupils at the same school.

After more complainers came forward, they stood trial again, and in 2022 they were convicted of a litany of charges involving physical and sexual abuse at the High Court in Glasgow. George was sentenced to 16 years in prison while Muldoon was jailed for 12.

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Between January and May this year, police made 10 arrests in relation to allegations of abuse, including three women.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A further seven men and three woman, aged 77, 74, 68, 65, 64, 61, 61, 59, 55 and 52, were arrested between January and May 2024 in connection with alleged non-recent sexual and physical abuse at a school in North Ayrshire. Reports have been submitted to the procurator fiscal."

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "The procurator fiscal has received reports relating to 10 individuals and non-recent abuse said to have occurred at Kerelaw School in North Ayrshire."

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