TEN new arrests have been made in connection to alleged historical abuse at a residential school in Scotland this year.
Officers have confirmed seven men and three women, have been questioned over the treatment of children at Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenson, North Ayrshire between January and May 2024.
It comes after two ex-employees were jailed in 2023 for a total of 28 years for multiple charges of physical and sexual abuse of former pupils.
Matthew George, 73, and John Muldoon, 69, physically and sexually abused children in their care while they were both employed at Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, which was then known as a “List D” secure establishment for vulnerable or troubled youngsters.
The pair, both from Ayrshire, were found guilty after a six-week trial in Glasgow.
It is understood police are looking at allegations against others dating back to the 1970s. The 10 who were arrested are aged between 52 and 77.
Another case is being built against another individual, 70s, who was separately arrested.
George and Muldoon had previously been jailed in 2006 having been 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, appearing at the High Court in Glasgow at the end of 2022. The men were found guilty of a total of 55 new charges – George of 39 of these while Muldoon was convicted on 16.
The offending covered a 28-year period from 1975 to 2004, with 20 male victims and eight females.
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.”
