Former school workers jailed for total of 28 years after physical and sexual abuse of children

Matthew George, 73, and John Muldoon, 69, both from Ayrshire, were found guilty after a six-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Unusually for such a large case, none of the 28 victims appeared in court in person. Instead, prosecutors presented their pre-recorded video testimony.

Former art teacher, George, and ex-care worker, Muldoon, physically and sexually abused children in their care while they were both employed at Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston, Ayrshire.

The pair 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 last year. The men were found guilty of a total of 55 new charges – George of 39; Muldoon of 16.

The offending covered a 28-year period – from 1975 until 2004 – with 20 male victims and eight female victims. 

At the High Court in Dundee, Matthew George was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment while John Muldoon was jailed for 12 years.

Fraser Gibson, procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offences, said the case demonstrated the Crown’s commitment to ensuring the voices of victims were heard.

He said: “The two accused were in positions of trust for many years. They abused that trust over and over again.

“The victims bravely came forward to tell what happened to them in childhood within a school environment where they should have been safe. They endured traumatising experiences which damaged their adult lives.

“Our skilled prosecutors were able to use special measures for these vulnerable witnesses, to ease as much as possible, the process of giving evidence.

“At COPFS we are determined to use every tool at our disposal in the pursuit of justice and to support victims through the system in every way we can.

“I would urge any victim of similar offending, no matter how long ago, to come forward, report it and seek help.”