Police have declared an inquiry into alleged historical abuse at a former residential school in Scotland as a “critical incident”. The force are continuing to investigate claims of physical and sexual abuse at Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, between the 1970s and 2000s.
Cops said the operation was declared as critical earlier this year due to the resources required and complexity of the investigation. Following reports of serious sexual and physical abuse against residents at the school, which closed in 2006, a team of specialist officers have been investigating all aspects of abuse alleged against former staff at the residential school.
Between January and May this year, ten people were arrested in connection with the alleged abuse at the council-run school. Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said officers have been investigating new allegations that came to light in 2015.
He said: “As the inquiry has progressed, additional specialist resource has been invested to ensure the best possible outcome for the victims in this case.
“There have been a number of further arrests made in recent months in relation to this investigation and we continue to work with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
Last year, two people were jailed for abuse spanning between 1975 and 2004 at the school, involving 28 victims. 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.
A critical incident can be declared at any point during an investigation where it is felt that the effectiveness of the police response is likely to have a significant impact on the confidence of the victim, their family and/or the community.
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