Former Lanarkshire care worker jailed for abusing children

A former Lanarkshire children's home manager who carried out a campaign of physical and sexual abuse against ten young victims ,including raping one girl, has been jailed for 15 years.

Edward Stanton’s crimes took place at three different care homes, which cannot be named for legal reasons, between 1985 and 1994.

Stanton - now 73 - had been the manager at one and a carer at the other two.

At least one victim tried to raise the alarm about Stanton

Jurors heard how at least one boy tried to raise the alarm what was happening, but that the accusations were "brushed under the carpet".

Stanton had denied the accusations during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

But he was found guilty of 11 charges after the jury heard distressing accounts of how the victims had suffered over the years.

Following the verdicts, it emerged the predator was previously jailed for jailed for 13 years in 1996 for historical abuse of boys at a children's home in Merseyside.

In 2021, he convicted of attacks on two other youngsters at the same establishment around that time.

Stanton has also been jailed possessing indecent images of children and breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

On Monday he was sentenced for these latest crimes by Judge Andrew Miller at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Violent and sexual assaults included preying on sleeping girl at Dumfries camp site

The trial last month was told how Stanton was physically abusive to a boy as he repeatedly unleashed his violent temper.

He then carried out sex attacks on a teenage girl including at a campsite in Dumfries.

Stanton preyed on another victim while she was initially asleep.

A then boy recalled how he was only young at the time, but knew what was happening was "not right". He was left feeling "scared" of Stanton.

One resident was molested while in a tent.

This boy had alerted a member of staff at the time, but he was "not believed".

The now man said he and others were "vulnerable children...meant to be in a place of safety".

But, he added reports of such matters appeared to be "brushed under the carpet".

Another boy was also left terrified of Stanton who gave him money to effectively buy his silence.

A further victim remembered speaking to staff, but "nothing was done".

A "bully" who "showed his true colours" in violent outburst

In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Scott McKenzie said one then resident recalled Stanton as initially being "nice" and that he had never previously had anyone show him any attention.

But, the violent bully soon showed his "true colours" by repeatedly punching and kicking him.

One girl was aged around seven when Stanton targeted her - he went on to rape this youngster.

The final victim on the indictment had only been at the children's home where Stanton was then based for two nights, but he was still able to take advantage of her.

She has been left suffering from "flashbacks".

Stanton was convicted of charges of rape, numerous indecent assaults, lewd and libidinous behaviour as well as physical attacks.

Fiona Kirkby, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said:

“Edward Stanton systematically abused children, who should have been safe under his care, for almost a decade.

“He exploited his position of trust and power while inflicting trauma on vulnerable young people, who continue to deal with the consequences today.

“This prosecution would not have been possible without the victims giving evidence, and I thank them for their help in securing justice.

“The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service is committed to robustly prosecuting non-recent allegations of abuse of children in care.

“I would urge anyone who has experienced similar offending to come forward and report it, regardless of how long ago the offences took place.”

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