Ten arrested over alleged historical abuse at residential school

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.

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.”