Published: Thursday, 28th January, 2010 3:54pm
Political parties unite over Matt George
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Matt, and wife Yvonne.
Largs man Matt George is poised to commence a make-or-break appeal against his imprisonment - and can count on the key support of local parliamentary members when he does so.
Matt, 60 - who continues to insist he is innocent while on interim liberation - has been assigned eight days in May or June for his appeal and remains hopeful that a verdict of miscarriage of justice could be reached by judges re-examining his case.
The former Kerelaw Residential School art teacher was originally set aside four days and believes that the irregular granting of such an extension could represent tentative grounds for optimism as he fights to prove that key evidence was withheld from his original trial.
He has also been given support from local MP Katy Clark and MSP Kenneth Gibson, who have both met with the George family and expressed a willingness to aid Matt's appeal bid.
Mr Gibson has made requests for evidential documents under the Freedom of Information Act and is set to investigate the 'Moorov doctrine' - a legal device which allows prosecutors to prove a case without direct corroborative evidence and a system that was used in Matt's trial.
However, while Matt and wife Yvonne desperately hope to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary together at home next year, they also fear the grandfather-of-four will be forced to return to prison once more.
Matt, of Rosebank Gardens, was convicted of physical and sexual abuse charges in 2006 and sent to Edinburgh's Saughton Prison where he was forced to rub shoulders with notorious killers Peter Tobin and William Beggs.
Furthermore, despite serving 21 months, Matt still has another four years and 11 months of his sentence left hanging over him.
Since he was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh, the couple have seen their faith in justice shaken to the core and their trust in others destroyed as they found themselves plunged into "the middle of a nightmare".
FULL EXCLUSIVE MATT GEORGE INTERVIEW IN THIS WEEK'S LARGS AND MILLPORT NEWS
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The Truth
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Jan 28 10 17:06
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Matt George is good and honourable man and so says every decent man, woman and child of this town.
I understand that I have to be very careful in what I state here or Mr Cochrane will be duty-bound to purge it however please afford me the latitude to allow anyone browsing this the opportunity to at least read between the lines and come to their own conclusions.
- Not a single hint of abuse ever existed, prior to compensation being offered in return for allegations of same - a tad odd given such a lengthy, distinguished and unblemished career.
- At one point, almost 140 separate abuse allegations were tabled within a six month period alone.
- NOT A SINGLE CLAIM was ever corroborated in precognition. Moreover much of the tabled corroboration blatantly contradicted the allegation in question, yet, due to rules within Scottish jurisprudence, this could never be presented in Matt's defence.
- For those of you unfamiliar - Kerelaw School is a school generally for kids who are well known to the criminal justice system; many having committed offences so serious that they could never be schooled in the mainstream system. Many of the claimants were actually in jail when filing claims.
- The claimants were largely represented by the most notorious claims lawyer in Scotland. You can do your own homework on this - the chap's name is Cameron Fyfe.
- I have spoken off the record to many senior figures regarding this case – not one believes there’s a grain of truth to it.
- Many of the successful claims are actually physically impossible with the remainder being highly implausible. I don’t want to take a flippant tack here but how good would one have to be at golf for some of the allegations to be true?
Matt George is a fine man and must be allowed to once again walk tall and proud within a society that he has selflessly dedicated his life to serving. Matt George did absolutely nothing wrong.
This is the biggest ever travesty in Scottish Legal History.
MATT GEORGE IS INNOCENT. FREE MATT GEORGE.
Neil Innes
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Jan 29 10 14:32
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I couldn't agree more with this comment. Having followed this case in the wee paper over the last few years, I believe Matt George is not guilty of these crimes. He must be set free now.
Hermux
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Jan 29 10 20:07
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I agree also with the first author. If people wish the truth to be acknowledged about Kerelaw they must first do away with the compensation rewards. This would allow for the true alegations (if any) to be known as anyone who was genuinely abused physically or emotionally would be happy with the judicial judgement alone withont the need to be paid for it.
Good Luck Mr George!
Kerelaw ex employee
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Jan 30 10 00:28
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This is an extract from an article I penned in July 2006 after Matt's sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh (and co-accused John Muldoon):
"Kerelaw School: A Contrary View from the Inside
"I know Matt George. I know John Muldoon. I knew many of the young people accommodated at Kerelaw School over the period April 1988 to Jan. 1997. I was a Senior Manager at Kerelaw School: I would work days, nights, and week-ends. I have concerns that we are now witnessing a grave miscarriage of justice. My experience of working with John and Matt over an eight year period does not ring true with the press coverage I have been reading over the last few months about their conviction after jury trial, and sentence. This is said with all due respect to Lady Paton the presiding judge, and members of the jury, who seemed to struggle with reaching a decision. There were originally 85 charges, spanning a period of 30 years. Matt George was found guilty of 18 charges, and John Muldoon guilty of four charges. The standard of evidence required in court has to be confirmed in law as “beyond all reasonable doubt”. I have concerns that there is a substantial opinion of doubt. I am also concerned as to the use of the legal principle, referred to as the “Moorov doctrine”, in this particular case. There are many examples in case law of unsound convictions secured on this principle being overturned on appeal."
I concluded this exposition with the following:
"An appeal should be lodged at the earliest, and given earnest consideration by those in the legal fraternity with some knowledge of the residential social care task as it has changed and evolved over the preceding thirty years.
For good measure, this process should be characterised by those willing to evidence a degree of common sense and humanity."
Matt George deserves a medal for a life dedicated to helping and supporting the most disadvantaged and troublesome young people being looked after by the state and in local authority care.
Matt and his family continue to have my utmost respect and support. I remain confident about the outcome of this appeal hearing later this year.
john morrison
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Jan 30 10 09:05
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Whilst laudable that the wee paper is throwing its support behind Matt George he wasn't the only person convicted at trial.
Mr Muldoon where is he ?
Did he appeal?
Did he do his time without appeal?... if so ..Why?
The comments from the ex Kerelaw employee appear a direct lift from the archives of the wee paper with what appears to be a paragraph from a journalist tagged on to the end of it.
If it is not then I apologise .
Lets have all the facts instead of the "biased" way this matter (tragic for the George family and others lets not forget)has been reported in the wee paper.
How many people received compensation ?
Many of the ex residents of Kerelaw are now in the justice sytem and in prison...failure at Kerelaw then or were they born to be in prison?
Demonisation of some ?
I await with interest on how the matter is reported to the end in the paper ...balanced journalism please...many questions on all sides remain unanswered not just those of Matt George or the wee paper.
Guest
Jan 30 10 14:02
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As a former resident of Kerelaw i also lend my full support to Matt George, and confirm that the allegations are in my opinion the biggest load of fabrications possible!
Having personally come across some of the characters who have testified against Mr George, (yes being resident at the school at the same time as them)I have no doubt at all in Mr George's innocence!
Mr Morrison i think it very laudible for the principles that you are trying to uphold about balanced arguements, BUT am afraid that i believe you to be totally misguided! One particular character who gave evidence against Mr George currently boasts on his bebo profile how he has got away with murder, attempted murder, police assaults etc, his face is also covered in much the same way as you would expect to see a terrorists face covered! This character went into the witness box and declared himself to be RAMBO!!!
This is the callibre of individual that led to the conviction of Matt George!!!
Those making the allegations are in whole either hardened criminals or hardened drug addicts who are in line for some very substantial awards (figures of up to and including £100,000)
Secondly you talk about the wee papers "bias" here i have to say to you considering the demonisation of MR GEORGE by most of the press at the time of his trial and at the publishing of earlier reports by Glasgow city council, then i think it was very admirable and very brave of the wee paper to take the stance that it did by sending it journalists out too look for the truth!
I also have to point out that since the wee paper took this stance and since myself and others approached other media and told them that we believed this to be a gross miscarriage of justice, then other journalists have now also taken the same standpoint as the wee paper! Due to the ongoing appeal we cannot produce all our evidence at the moment, in fact we can say very very little but believe me if u could see some of the things that have been going on your hair would stand on end! What we can say however is that the recent scottish government enquiry into Kerelaw should be enough to show that not everything was as originally reported!
As for your point as to whether those that are in the prison system were failed by Kerelaw i answer that with an EMPHATIC NO!! They were failed by themselves, everyone at Kerelaw had equal opportunities, some of us took them and some of them didnt! Some of us became university graduates, some of them became career criminals and habitual drug addicts!!
I have attended the court throughout Mr George's Appeal Process and will continue to do so and will not rest until his name is cleared! Mr George was an art teacher who went way and beyond the call of duty in his efforts to help kids at Kerelaw and as a result diverted MANY away from the criminal justice system!! For this he should be applauded NOT have a ten year prison sentence due to the lies of some rather unsavoury people!!
Now i will conclude by saying as well that I am speaking up without the chance of a single penny reward, my reward will be when Mr George's name is cleared and secondly i have given up my anonymity and put my name forward because I will NOT stand seeing an innocent man in prison!!!
What similar points can be made against Mr George's accusers!
Sincerely Yours,
Craig Diver, (Dip.App.S.S.Open)
FORMER KERELAW RESIDENT!
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Jan 30 10 16:38
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As a former resident of Kerelaw i also lend my full support to Matt George, and confirm that the allegations are in my opinion the biggest load of fabrications possible!
Having personally come across some of the characters who have testified against Mr George, (yes being resident at the school at the same time as them)I have no doubt at all in Mr George's innocence!
Mr Morrison i think it very laudible for the principles that you are trying to uphold about balanced arguements, BUT am afraid that i believe you to be totally misguided! One particular character who gave evidence against Mr George currently boasts on his bebo profile how he has got away with murder, attempted murder, police assaults etc, his face is also covered in much the same way as you would expect to see a terrorists face covered! This character went into the witness box and declared himself to be RAMBO!!!
This is the callibre of individual that led to the conviction of Matt George!!!
Those making the allegations are in whole either hardened criminals or hardened drug addicts who are in line for some very substantial awards (figures of up to and including £100,000)
Secondly you talk about the wee papers "bias" here i have to say to you considering the demonisation of MR GEORGE by most of the press at the time of his trial and at the publishing of earlier reports by Glasgow city council, then i think it was very admirable and very brave of the wee paper to take the stance that it did by sending it journalists out too look for the truth!
I also have to point out that since the wee paper took this stance and since myself and others approached other media and told them that we believed this to be a gross miscarriage of justice, then other journalists have now also taken the same standpoint as the wee paper! Due to the ongoing appeal we cannot produce all our evidence at the moment, in fact we can say very very little but believe me if u could see some of the things that have been going on your hair would stand on end! What we can say however is that the recent scottish government enquiry into Kerelaw should be enough to show that not everything was as originally reported!
As for your point as to whether those that are in the prison system were failed by Kerelaw i answer that with an EMPHATIC NO!! They were failed by themselves, everyone at Kerelaw had equal opportunities, some of us took them and some of them didnt! Some of us became university graduates, some of them became career criminals and habitual drug addicts!!
I have attended the court throughout Mr George's Appeal Process and will continue to do so and will not rest until his name is cleared! Mr George was an art teacher who went way and beyond the call of duty in his efforts to help kids at Kerelaw and as a result diverted MANY away from the criminal justice system!! For this he should be applauded NOT have a ten year prison sentence due to the lies of some rather unsavoury people!!
Now i will conclude by saying as well that I am speaking up without the chance of a single penny reward, my reward will be when Mr George's name is cleared and secondly i have given up my anonymity and put my name forward because I will NOT stand seeing an innocent man in prison!!!
What similar points can be made against Mr George's accusers!
Sincerely Yours,
Craig Diver, (Dip.App.S.S.Open)
FORMER KERELAW RESIDENT!
vigilo
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Jan 31 10 10:47
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If people at rock bottom of the social pyramid are made aware that large amounts of cash compensation are available - as long as they make nasty allegations against others - why should anyone expect that justice and truth will prevail?
Remove the temptation of cash handouts for complaints and offer 'counselling' instead, then lets see how many of these injured parties get off their backsides to be witnesses against decent people!
Ex Kerelaw teacher
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Feb 2 10 13:53
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As an ex colleague of Matt George and John Muldoon, having worked and soc*alised with them for over 20 years, I know that they are innocent of the charges made against them.The idea of such acts is totally abhorrent to both men.On speaking to any former Kerelaw staff and pupils they all agree on the innocence of both men and condemn the compensation culture which has encouraged such false accusations.
ex neighbours
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Feb 2 10 19:57
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As ex neighbours and close friends of Matt and Yvonne we have completely lost any faith in our justice system. It is beyond belief that a conscientious, caring person who got great personal satisfaction when he achieved positive results from the youngsters that he taught ended up in this terrible situation. It was patently obvious to anyone who followed the trial that the accusations were unfounded and without substance with the chance of compensation the major factor. The family ( who are a very close loving unit) have worked extremely hard to investigate and check documents etc in preparation for the appeal so we can only hope that the correct decision will be made by the authorities and they will realise that an innocent man was sent to prison Our thought are with all of them at this difficult time
Serpico
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Feb 2 10 21:56
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As a Teacher who works within the residential School setting I have absolutely no hesitation in supporting Matt George and his family in attempting to unwind and appeal this travesty.
Be aware that Matts accusers are not your every day young people, it is rumoured that some of these 30/40 year olds may have spent some time within our prison system! in fact they may even have been interviewed in their cells imagine that.
Call me cynical but would stretch our adult balanced minds to to consider that these individuals planned this for financial gain, I would suggest just that.
My understanding of Matt George is that he was a first class Teacher, someone who was prepared to go the extra mile for some of Scotlands most disturbed and violent young people in residential care, our legal system now crucifies him and his family, shame on us all for not acting. Who amongst us is next to face the Moorov Doctrine? Dont know what this is? if you work in Education or Care you better find out because when you have done your duty and are ready to retire or wind down this is what will be used against you. Beware some of the young people in our care progress into the adult prison system often with severe emotional behaviour difficulties and some of these people tell lies.
Matt I have never doubted your innocence.
Ex Kerelaw Manager
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Feb 2 10 23:00
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Matt George's trial and finding of guilt was seriously flawed in a number of significant ways:
(i)"Presumption of Innocence" this is a fundamental tenet of Scots Law - Matt seemed to have been branded as "guilty" from the outset, and now having to prove his innocence (the starting point should be "innocent until proved guilty", and the standard of evidence should be "beyond all reasonable doubt" - the element of doubt in Matt's conviction is overwhelming in my view;
(ii)"Police Trawling for Evidence": what chance would any Kerelaw employee have in such circumstances? I understand large numbers of ex Kerelaw pupils were traced, many known to be convicted criminals (see Craig Diver comment above), were interviewed, shown a picture of Matt, asked if they knew him at Kerelaw, and allegedly asked if they wished to make any complaint? These practices (leading questions)are biased and should be inadmissible in any judicial proceedings (please refer to "The Secret of Bryn Estyn - The Making of a Modern Witch Hunt", by Richard Webster;
(iii)"Financial compensation" was the carrot held out to tempt anyone willing to make a statement. This is obscene, and prejudices any prospect of a fair hearing
(iv)Use, or abuse, of "Moorov Doctrine" (ie no independent corroborated evidence) - I am not surprised that the Scot Govt has recently invited the Law Commission for Scotland to review the practice of using this doctrine to convict alleged perpetrators, in the absence of any other evidence. Will their findings come too late for Matt's appeal (I hope not)?
(v)Witness Evidence: I am reliably informed that Crown Prosecution witnesses were in some cases unwilling to testify in court against Matt,on the basis of statements previously given to the police, and for this reason were arrested by the police and taken in hand-cuffs to the court. I believe many were held together in the court witness room before giving evidence. Is there not a grave risk in these circumstances of "contamination of evidence" between witnesses, prior to evidence being presented in open court?
Matt, Yvonne and their family have many supporters watching these proceedings with great interest. I am pleased that at last our political representatives, from different political persuasion (MP Katy Clark and MSP Kenneth Gibson) are now rallying behind Matt and doing all they can to lend their support to this appeal. Matt has been on interim liberation from Saughton Prison for over two years now. However, this "Damocles sword" is still threatening his liberty, and his life, and that of his family, remains on hold. They are to be admired for how they have coped to date. The sooner this wrong is righted, the better.
Thank you to the Editor, and Reporter David Walker, of the "Largs and Millport". You have chosen an unpopular but just stance in this case.
Diane Nolan
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Feb 8 10 21:29
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I would just like to point out that the only reason John Muldoon and Matt George were sent to trial, was due to a fabricated charge by the police to link these two men together. This was proven in court....fact! The jury were faced with an overwhelming amount of charges, leaving in there minds, no smoke without fire. I am 100% certain that if John and Matt were not linked by this false charge, they would not have seen the inside of a courtroom. Leading us to believe that the police deliberately misled in order to strengthen their case. Many other ex Kerelaw employees were charged and threatened with similar allegations by many of the same people. However, these were not pursued, as stand alone cases they were laughable.
Throughout the whole case against these two men, there was not one shred of evidence to support the allegations that were made, hence the use of the Moorov Doctrine. Similarly, how do you defend against that which simply does not exist and you are denied access to vital records?
As for an appeal for John Muldoon, there are also a number of people working tirelessly to clear his name. These people will not rest until this grave miscarriage of justice is overturned.
Ek Kerelaw manager
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Feb 8 10 22:33
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Diane is absolutely right to continue in her support of John Muldoon, who also continues to protest his innocence, despite having served all of his sentence. Nothing more needs to be said in support of John than to quote from one of the PROSECUTION prime witnesses at the time of the trial, who for some mysterious reason was NOT called to give evidence in Court. I wonder why? Perhaps his explanation, quoted below, more than one year after the trial, provides a clue:
"Abuse Convictions Raises Expert's Concerns -
(02/08/07)
"One of the UK's leading experts on child abuse has raised doubts about the conviction of a social worker after an investigation into a residential school in Ayrshire.
"Ray Wyre, who works as a consultant to police investigations and public inquiries into child abuse, said staff at Kerelaw School found guilty of physical assaults were judged by standards which did not apply at the time the offences were said to have happened.
"The trial of Matt George and John Muldoon, two former staff members at Kerelaw, took place in early 2006. There were 85 charges against them.
"Mr Wyre was in court as an expert witness for the prosecution, but he was not called to give evidence.
"He has now claimed this was because he made no secret of his doubts about some of the prosecution evidence.
"When the prosecution finished, he closed his laptop and went to speak to Mr Muldoon. He said he told him he ought to be acquitted.
"The Crown Office said it was a matter for the fiscal to decide who was called to give evidence."
What greater exoneration could John receive, than this statement from a UK renowned "expert" prosecution witness. I similarly support John and sincerely hope he will find the will and the resources to mount an appeal - hopefully on the back of a successful appeal by Matt George.
Ex Kerelaw Social Worker
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Feb 8 10 23:28
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Campbell Martin, ex list MSP and an ardent supporter of ex Kerelaw staff John Muldoon and Matt George, campaigned for a public inquiry into events at Kerelaw school, and also submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament just prior to the recess in April 2007:
"Business Bulletin No. 61/2007: Monday 2 April 2007
Campbell Martin: Kerelaw Residential School — That the Parliament notes with concern the ongoing situation in relation to Kerelaw Residential School in North Ayrshire; recognises the devastating effect that allegations and subsequent investigations and suspensions can have on individuals and their families; believes that a public enquiry should be held to determine exactly what happened at the school, and expresses concern over the conviction of ex-Kerelaw worker, John Muldoon.
Campbell Martin is now the editor of the web site www.the3towns.com and continues to follow and report on the convictions of both Matt George and John Muldoon, and has expresssed major concerns about the inherent weaknesses of convictions obtained on evidence relying solely on the use of the Moorov Doctrine.
Ex Kerelaw Ass't Head
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Feb 9 10 22:56
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"If two people accuse you, then you are guilty. They get COMPENSATION, you get JAIL."
Who says so? Read on. (See also "Serpico", Ref 8363 above, and Diane Nolan Comment)
By Alasdair Palmer
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 22/10/2006
"Last week, Anver Sheikh was released from prison after the Court of Appeal ruled, for the second time, that he should never have been sent there. On May 9, 2002, Mr Sheikh was convicted of s*xually assaulting two boys at the care home at which, more than 20 years ago, he used to work. He was branded a paedophile. His world collapsed as he was sent to prison for the unspeakable crimes that he did not commit. The only evidence against him was the uncorroborated testimony of two former inmates of the care home. But the jury believed the accusers and not Mr Sheikh: he was sentenced to eight years."
"For one who has been through the harrowing ordeal of being imprisoned for something he did not do, Mr Sheikh was surprisingly calm on his release last week. He remarked only that he was "bitter at the system – at the system that failed me". He had good reason. The system for dealing with accusations of s*xual abuse is a disgrace. It has manifest failings that are known to lead to wrong verdicts but which remain uncorrected, and which continue to send innocent men to prison."
"Chris Saltrese is a solicitor who has handled many appeals for those accused of s*xual crimes...
Mr Saltrese believes that there are "certainly scores, and very possibly hundreds" of men who have been convicted of s*xual crimes who are rotting in prison with no prospect of release, but who are not guilty and should never have been sentenced."
"These men have all been convicted on the uncorroborated allegations of people they knew 10, 20, sometimes even 40 years ago, and whom they have not seen since. It seems incredible that, in English (and Scots) law, such unsupported allegations should be enough to get a man sent to prison for a decade or more. But that is the present situation. Thanks to the steady erosion of the rules of evidence governing s*xual offences, culminating in decisions by the Law Lords in 1991 and 1995, a defendant can face multiple allegations at the same trial. None of those allegations need have any corroboration; each, considered on its own merits, may be insufficient to suggest s*xual abuse took place, but the effect of the Law Lords' rulings has been that together, multiple allegations are, in law, enough to prove not just that the abuse happened, but that the defendant was the perpetrator."
"People are regularly being convicted of s*x crimes because that dangerous principle has been embedded into our law. The situation is made worse because of the way the police collect evidence in "historical abuse cases". Knowing that multiple allegations can produce a conviction, they attempt to trace all former residents at care homes where abuse is believed to have taken place, and to then ask if they have any recollections of abuse."
"Police interviewers do not always take "No" for an answer. They justify multiple visits and interviews of the same individual on the grounds that they need to "build a relationship of trust with the witness", and that the "trauma of the event will lead many to deny it at first, and only later to be able to admit what happened". Such interviews are not video recorded or even taped by the police as a matter of course. As a consequence, it is impossible to identify whether or not they have "coached" witnesses."
"Police officers can also point out to the people they question that there are financial advantages to making accusations which lead to men being convicted, as victims of s*xual abuse are entitled to compensation. Care homes are liable for misconduct by their staff and their insurers will not defend claims for compensation when the alleged perpetrator has been found guilty in the criminal courts. The average compensation pay out is in the region of £20,000, but can go as high as £100,000.
The combination of financial incentives for making allegations, and rules for evidence which do not require those allegations to be corroborated by anything except other, similar allegations, is a recipe for injustice. Entirely predictably, complainants have admitted to making up their accusations. Unfortunately, their admissions usually happen only after people have been imprisoned because of their initial complaint."
"
More innocent people will be convicted unless the law is changed so that uncorroborated allegations are not enough for a guilty verdict. Trials under the present rules are clearly not fair. The Government knows it, and has known it for years. But there are no plans to change any of the procedures to increase the likelihood that those accused of s*xual crimes will be acquitted. On the contrary: the Government insists the conviction rate is too low, and wishes to change the rules again to make convictions more likely.
It can only mean that there will be many more people who end up "bitter with the system" because they have had their lives unjustly destroyed by it."
MATT GEORGE AND JOHN MULDOON HAVE BEEN "HUNG OUT TO DRY" BY A SYSTEM RIDDLED WITH MASSIVE INJUSTICE AND FABRICATION - THIS NOW NEEDS TO BE CHALLENGED BY THOSE WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER
Ex Kerelaw manager
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Feb 13 10 12:27
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Police "Trawling for Evidence" - This article, extracted from the3towns.com exposes some of the less desireable practices relentlessly pursued by police and joint investigation teams, in their quest to seek convictions of many innocent child care workers, who now find themselves on the receiving end of allegations made some 20, 30 or 40 years ago (referred to as historic abuse allegations):
"A new genre of miscarriages of justice for Scotland. Matthew George and John Muldoon started 10 year and 2 ½ year prison sentence on the 1st June 2006, for crimes they did not commit. I am one member of Matthew’s family who sat through a 12 week High Court trial, which was the most unbelievable, surreal and heartbreaking situation I have ever found myself in. Matthew was found guilty of 18 charges out of a charge list of 49, which include s*xual and physical assaults on 10 teenagers (now adults) who were residents of Kerelaw residential school in Stevenston in Ayrshire. I am sure the jury must have been thinking ‘No smoke without fire’, as they listened to 49 charges being read out one after the other, but consider for one moment that the people who were accusing did not come forward to make a complaint, but were approached by either the Glasgow City Council Kerelaw Investigation Team or by Strathclyde Police and asked if they had any complaint to make. This investigative technique is sometimes known as ‘Trawling for evidence’. If police officers interview hundreds of damaged young people who have long records of deception and dishonesty, with the aim of gathering allegations of abuse against those who once cared for them, it would be surprising if they did not succeed in provoking a large number of false allegations. Particularly when it is known that such allegations can result in thousands of pounds being paid out by the criminal injuries compensation authority. My father-in-law worked as an art teacher in Kerelaw for 30 years. Through his career he has taught thousands of troubled, difficult and aggressive adolescents who are now in their 20’s, 30’s or 40’s. Broadly speaking, most of the people who were making these false allegations are still troubled or disturbed in some way, either in prison, drug dependant, prostitutes or maybe just caught in the poverty trap. They all labelled their future life troubles as the aftermath of their abuse at Kerelaw. Of course not one complainer said that they were motivated by compensation, ‘they just wanted to put the past behind them’. The main problem I have with this line is that a very high number of the residents in Kerelaw were there for a reason. This could be as simple as being outwith parental control, not going to mainstream school or for committing crimes such as murder, attempted murder or serious s*x offences, a very broad spectrum of clients. Kerelaw did not make them the way they were and certainly Matthew George did not make them the way they are today. I feel it must also be pointed out that Matt and my mother-in-law Yvonne have received many letters and cards from ex-pupils stating how much they respected Matt and how much of a help he was to them at such a pivotal point in their lives. This is not to mention the overwhelming support we have received from Matt’s work colleagues, friends and his local newspaper, the Largs and Millport Weekly News. The national papers have reported these allegations for the last two years, naming Matthew George as the accused and even giving his home address. Is it any wonder that ex-residents would want to get a slice of the compensation pie? It has been reported that Glasgow City Council may receive compensation claims of up to £8,000,000. Solicitors Cameron Fyfe, who are supporting the claims from former residents, expect up to 160 ex-residents to come forward. They suggest an average payout in cases such as this would be £50,000. In July 2002 the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, after a three month enquiry, concluded that such trawling operations have led to ‘a new genre of miscarriages of justice’. It is already too late for Matthew George but the Scottish law lords must look, along with the chief police officers, at the system of gathering good quality evidence in cases of historic abuse. This would not only protect against innocent men and women being sent to prison, it would help with the gaining of strong convictions against true criminals. The law must now, as a matter of urgency, be changed and reformed before more innocent teachers, carers, nurses and doctor’s are behind bars.
Select Committee on Home Affairs – Fourth Report (Oct 2002) THE CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO PAST CASES OF ABUSE IN CHILDREN’S HOMES ‘It has been suggested, and we believe it to be so, that a new genre of miscarriages of justice has arisen from the over-enthusiastic pursuit of these allegations. Those who argue the case, contend that police methods of 'trawling' for information, from a wide net of former residents, produces unreliable evidence for the prosecution and, hence, unsafe convictions. There is deep concern over the conduct of police interviews with witnesses and the integrity of witness testimony. In addition, trawling is said to provide fertile conditions for the generation of false allegations. Set in the context of a growing compensation culture and a shift in the law of 'similar fact' evidence (Moorov Doctrine), the risks of effecting a miscarriage of justice in these cases are said to be unusually high’. I have read and agree wholly that by convicting innocent defendants of offences they have not committed, justice can itself become a form of inadvertent crime. More terrible for the fact that it is committed, or abetted, by servants of the state. I have spent the last 13 months studying Police and Glasgow City Council Witness Statements, Procurator Fiscal precognitions and trial papers relating to my father-in-law. I now have no doubt that the investigation strategy pursued was not to establish the truth and the motive behind so many allegations of abuse, but at a very early stage to ensure a conviction was realised. At the end of the trial the jury was told that, as all of the allegations of abuse took place in private and were not witnessed by anyone, they were allowed to use the ‘moorov doctrine’ to corroborate one crime with another, should they be similar in time, nature and purpose. This is a stand-alone reason for the convictions being unsafe. If you have a convicted murderer who is serving a ‘life’ prison sentence corroborating the allegation of a man who is in prison for fire arms offences and other crimes of dishonesty, how can you believe beyond reasonable doubt that the story they are telling is the truth? How could they be considered as credible and reliable? We know Matt and John are innocent and we will not stop fighting this miscarriage of justice until their names have been cleared."
(Robert McKnight)
I now urge other ex Kerelaw staff and those child care workers still involved in caring for children and young people in care, including foster carers, to rally together in support now of Matt and John. There appear to be out-dated fundamental principles of law impeding the judicial system in its pursuit of the truth.
Ex Kerelaw manager
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Feb 13 10 22:33
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Re comments above about historic abuse claims by child victims (now adults), previously in residential care, and payments of compensation being pursued by solicitor Cameron Fyfe of Ross Harper, evidence of the likely incidence of compensation claims in the pipe-line was reported by the Scotsman in 2008:
"Thousands of abuse victims to get justice as case deadline lifted."
(19 February 2008 )
By MICHAEL HOWIE – The Scotsman
"THE floodgates are set to open within weeks for compensation awards to thousands of abuse victims, with a legal ruling which will overturn a ban on historical claims.
"A lawyer representing about 1,000 victims of historic abuse in children's homes in Scotland has told The Scotsman he "fully expects" a "time-bar" rule to be swept aside following a House of Lords ruling last month.
"Under Scots law, personal injuries claims can only be lodged within three years of the incident occurring. When the victims are children, claims must be made within three years of their 16th birthday.
"Last year, appeal judges ruled three former residents of Nazareth House in Glasgow could not pursue their actions because the alleged abuse, which occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, happened too long ago. The judgment shattered the hopes of hundreds of victims who have waited for years to have their day in court.
"But those hopes have now been revived by a law lords' ruling last month involving the "Lotto rapist" Iorworth Hoare. The House of Lords ruled that a woman whose life was ruined following an attempted rape by Hoare now has the right to pursue a damages claim against him, despite the time limit.
"Cameron Fyfe, who said that on his books he has 1,000 former children's home residents claiming abuse, added he expects the time bar north of the Border to be overturned at the Court of Session next month.
"Judges will decide whether an action raised by ___________, a former pupil of Kerelaw school in Ayrshire who is seeking £35,000 in damages from Glasgow City Council, can go ahead – despite the alleged abuse taking place more than a decade ago.
"Mr Fyfe said: "This will be the first time a Scottish court has been asked to rule on a historic abuse case since the Lords judgment. The implications for victims of abuse in Scotland will be huge if we are successful.
"It is not automatic that the ruling will apply in Scotland, but the law in England and Scotland is very similar so we fully expect the courts will follow the lead.
"The House of Lords is a higher authority than the Court of Session, and we already have appeals lodged on the Nazareth House cases so I believe the timebar will be removed.
"Mr Fyfe said only one of the cases he is handling currently overcomes the time-bar hurdle. "There will be many more cases to follow if we succeed next month," he said. They include 28 former pupils of Kerelaw, each seeking between £30,000 and £40,000 damages.
"A three-year investigation (by Glasgow City Council) into the residential unit claimed to have uncovered about 40 alleged abusers among staff. Investigators also warned more workers knew of the abuse, but did nothing about it."
(The Frizzell Inquiry into Abuse at Kerelaw School did not find evidence to support the allegation that 40 staff at Kerelaw abused children & young people.)
I am seriously concerned that we don't have a level playing field, and many ex care workers are not so fortunate in securing legal representation to defend these allegations and support their claims of innocence, as more cases wind their way into court. Legal aid is not so readily available to ex employees. Many legal firms are now openly advertising their professional services to alleged abuse victims now serving custodial sentences in UK-wide prisons.
Ex Kerelaw social worker
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Feb 15 10 16:39
Our Ref: 8719
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Are residential child care staff becoming human punch bags for young people in care to ill-treat and abuse? Recent evidence from Unison suggests so. This culture now of "ye cannae touch me or I'll report ye" is leading to a break-down in adult/child carer relationships, unruly behaviour going unchecked, and more and more staff feeling vulnerable and unsupported in their work-place:
"98% of Glasgow childcare workers threatened or abused"
By Daniel Lombard on February 15, 2010
"A survey of Unison's members in children's homes in Glasgow has found 98% have been threatened or verbally abused and 53% have suffered physical attacks over the last 12 months.
"Unison Scotland released the shocking figures as the union, which has 300,000 members in social care across the UK, issued a ten-point plan to combat violence in social care.
Unison is calling for:
Funding from central government to invest in measures to protect staff
Risk assessment and prevention strategies
Better recording of incidents
Improvements in the way incidents are dealt with locally
National system to monitor incidents of abuse
Better access to counselling for staff who have experienced abuse
Banning lone working on risky visits
Greater focus on employers' responses to incidents in inspections
Closer relations between police and employers
Better police and ambulance back-up for mental health admissions"
Many ex Kerelaw staff will be able to sympathise with these sentiments, but on reflection will be saying ... "I told you so ... too little, too late". Many carers in Children's homes now feeling the brunt of fewer and fewer residential school places available for the more difficult and unruly young person in care. The closure of Kerelaw school, and Secure Unit, as with many other resid school closures, reduces the choice available in placement options. Ch homes do not have education facilities and teachers on the premises. Main stream schools now feeling the impact - or truancy rates from children in many ch homes have gone through the roof. Political and social work dogma is now requiring to be questioned.
Ex Kerelaw Social Worker
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Feb 16 10 00:23
Our Ref: 8724
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Ross Harper, solicitors, have the following information displayed on their web page re role of solicitor Cameron Fyfe in pursuing compensation claims for ex Kerelaw pupils:
"Abuse Victim Wins Right to Pursue Case"
"March 2009 - Cameron Fyfe in our Litigation Department currently represents a number of former residents of Kerelaw School in Ayrshire who are making claims against the local authority for the treatment they received whilst resident at the school. Two former staff have been convicted of offences including physical and s*xual abuse towards the pupils who were within their care at the school. Many of the victims of such abuse find pursuing a legal case impossible due to the rules on timebar. These state that any such claim must be raised within three years of the victim turning eighteen. For victims it can take many years to come to terms with the abuse and thereafter take the steps necessary to raise a claim meaning that often by the time they are ready to do so it is no longer competent. However, in a landmark ruling by Lord Malcolm at the Court of Session Michelle Wright, now 28, has won the right to sue in relation to the abuse she suffered whilst at Kerelaw between the ages of 10 and 15. This ruling also opens the way for other victims of abuse caught in the same position. Mr Fyfe has said that it is a major step in the right direction for those denied justice for so long."
Comment: If pupil M____ W____ was in Kerelaw when 10 years' old I'll eat my hat! This is an example of half-truths and downright lies. Is this how cases are pursued and represented in court ... and juries misled? And defendants have no recourse to challenge as any evidence in terms of school records don't seem to be readily available (or destroyed)!
Gwen Hurst
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Feb 16 10 12:40
Our Ref: 8729
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Sorry Matt that you have been caught up in the witch-hunt that is still sweeping the UK.
Despite evidence presented to the Home Affairs Committee in 2002, very few politicians have had the courage to stand up for the real victims or take matters forward. I would like to applaud and congratulate those who are supporting you. I know of one MP who took up the cause and was officially warned that it was political suicide.
Why have most politicians, judges, juries, employers and the general public not realised what is happing on such a massive scale and the cost involved? Why has nearly every children's establishment throughout the UK been investigated by police following allegations made about events that allegedly happened years previously?
The good work done by yourself and thousands of other staff in very difficult and often dangerous circumstances should be recognised by all, not least by employers.
Apart from the misery it's caused to a lovely family like yours, what a waste of money and resources, spent on large police operations trawling for evidence, barristers, solicitors, court and prison costs; not forgetting the compensation paid to claimants. Over the last twenty years, the cost must have been £millions, all of which would have been better spent on children's services.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bob Douthwaite
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Feb 19 10 15:39
Our Ref: 8870
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As the Honorary Secretary of the North Wales Branch of F.A.C.T. (Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers) I offer our full support to Matt and John in their fight for justice. This scam, which has spread throughout the country, must be stopped by the politicians who seem to be scared to stand up for the honest and decent men who did so much good work in the training and education of the youths (now men) who are now telling lies about their former carers.
British justice has been stood on its head when it is now only necessary to make false allegations to secure a conviction.
Best wishes to Matt and John and may their courageous fight be successful.
Anonymous
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Feb 20 10 17:01
Our Ref: 8894
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Your readers may be interested in the following two items of recent news, both of which can be related to the present concerns being expressed about the margin of doubt in the sentencing of Matt George and John Muldoon, respective ex Kerelaw teacher and care worker:
Conviction Appeal Upheld (Feb 12th, 2010):
"A blind musician from Sheffield has been cleared of all charges after being accused of molesting a schoolboy over 20 years ago.
Keyboard player Michael Higgins, aged 46, of Portland Court, Langsett, had denied two allegations of indecent assault which the supposed victim claimed happened in 1987.
Mr Higgins was acquitted at the Old Bailey in London yesterday afternoon after a trial spanning four weeks."
His solicitor Chris Saltrese told The Star afterwards:
“It was clear from the outset the evidence was very weak, stemming from a complainant who has a history of drug addiction and offending. The question must be asked why the prosecution decided to press this case on such a flimsy basis going back two decades.
“There needs to be a thorough review of uncorroborated historic s*x cases and the value of claims made after so many years.
“There are far too many cases putting innocent lives at risk in this way. It’s a waste of public money and undermines the integrity of the criminal justice system in Britain.”
Source and Acknowledgement: Yorkshire Star
More on the MOOROV DOCTRINE, from the Scottish Law Commission web page, 12 Jan 2010:
"The Moorov doctrine is a mechanism which applies where a person is accused of two or more separate offences, connected in time and circumstances. In such a case, where each of the offences charged is spoken to by a single credible witness, that evidence may corroborate, and be corroborated by, the other single witnesses, so as to enable the conviction of the accused on all the charges. In order for the doctrine to operate, each of the offences must be competently charged. It is not possible to rely for corroboration of a charge upon evidence of conduct, however similar, in respect of which the accused has previously been convicted or acquitted. The operation of the doctrine involves similar issues to cases of similar fact evidence, since it permits evidence relating to one alleged crime to be used in support of a charge relating to a separate incident. We shall consider the origins and present state of the doctrine, and whether any reform is required. In particular, we shall consider whether it would be appropriate, as part of a wider reform of the law of similar fact evidence, to allow corroboration to be found in evidence of similar offences which cannot be tried on the same indictment, such as, for example, offences in relation to which the accused has already been tried and acquitted or convicted."
"We aim to publish a DISCUSSION PAPER in late Spring 2010, to be followed by a 3 month public consultation."
For more information, please contact: alastair.smith@scotlawcom.gov.uk
Perhaps the "Largs and Millport" can act as a catalyst in compiling and forwarding concerns to the Scottish Law Commission, from the many supporters of Matt George and John Muldoon who
were convicted solely on the basis of uncorroborated evidence, as is presently permissible in law under the Moorov Doctrine (if the evidence is considered to be reliable and from CREDIBLE witnesses).
Ex Kerelaw manager
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Feb 20 10 18:12
Our Ref: 8895
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See Ref 8870 above from Bob Douthwaite, FACT, N. Wales.
In researching their web site I came across the following, which is of great interest to us here in Scotland:
"FACT North Wales call for a re-think on the findings of the Waterhouse Inquiry a decade ago".
"A group critical of those who made false allegations during a child abuse scandal are calling for people with information to come forward. North Wales Fact (Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers) group wants justice for the men they say were vilified during the Bryn Estyn care home case of the early 1990s. Members of Fact are asking any witnesses from the Wrexham area to now come forward and help the men they say were wrongly imprisoned and labelled paedophiles.
"One man who was falsely accused by a former pupil at Bryn Estyn, and wished to remain anonymous, has spoken for the first time of the experience. The former teacher, who lives in the Wrexham area, was visited by North Wales Police officers one morning in March 1992. He said they entered his home and searched rooms looking for ****ographic material. The man, who is married and now in his seventies, worked at Bryn Estyn 20 years previously. He recalled how police told him allegations had been made by an ex-resident of the school.
The man said: “Of course I denied any misdoing but they wanted to search the house. I asked what they were looking for and was told they were searching for videos and photographs. I pointed out we did not have a video player.
He added: “I was taken to the police station and put in a cell. I was questioned twice before being released later that day on bail and told to return to the station in six weeks time.
“It was a horrible time, then six weeks later I received a letter from North Wales Police informing me I did not have to answer police bail.
“Since that day, almost 18 years ago, I have not had any communication with the police about this matter.”
The Fact group pointed to historian Richard Webster’s 2005 book "The Secret of Bryn Estyn: The Making of a Modern Witchhunt". In the book, Webster examined much of the evidence presented to the Waterhouse Inquiry of 2000 regarding the allegations made in respect of homes across North Wales. Having taken 10 years to examine everything in detail, Webster decided the Waterhouse Inquiry was a “travesty of justice” that broke every guideline from the opening speech by counsel.
In 2002, the Home Affairs Select Committee set up a further inquiry to look into allegations of abuse in children’s homes.
"Evidence was gathered from across the UK, including North Wales. They concluded miscarriages of justice had arisen from the ‘over-enthusiastic pursuit of allegations relating to children’s homes’.
"A police inquiry had led to 10 convictions with abusers imprisoned for offences committed at homes throughout North Wales over decades. However, there were claims some or many of those accused were victims of false allegations.
"Fact was initially formed to support staff who had been falsely accused or wrongly convicted of child abuse. It campaigns for reform in the criminal justice system to prevent miscarriages of justice, and for improvements in investigative practices to remove the presumption of guilt.
The man added: “There have been miscarriages of justice in these cases and the Home Office do not seem to want to listen to the truth.
“Many men have had their lives ruined, their careers turned upside down and in some cases their families destroyed.
“There are people out there who know what really happened. It’s time they came forward and told the truth.”
Source: Daily Post (North Wales)
More supporters of Matt and John now need to come forward, and tell the truth. Also, I appeal to ex pupils of Kerelaw School, to make their views known, via the columns of the "Largs & Millport".
Jim Hepburn
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Feb 20 10 19:59
Our Ref: 8896
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I would like to congratulate Drew Cochrane and the people of Largs for their support for Matt Georgein his fight for justice.
Matt and his colleages at Kerelaw dedicated their lives to look after youths who were beyond parental control andcould not fit in to mainstream educational establishments.
Glasgow City Council owe these dedicated people a huge debt of gratitude and should be ashamed of the way they have amandoned them.Unfortunately, there are many people all over Scotland, England and Wales who find themselves in a similar position to Matt`s.
These ex-residents who have been in and out of prison most of their lives find the police who never believed a word they ever said suddenly hanging on to every word they now say,and egged on by the chance of gaining large sums of money only too willing to ruin the lives and reputations of the ones who tried to help them.
I am also a member of FACT and as has already been said, we are dedicated toto people all over the country who find themselves in Matt`s position.
I wish Matt every success in his appeal this summer, so he and Yvonne and their family can get on with their lives.
If Matt is successful it should also help John Muldoon in his fight for justice.
Jim Hepburn.
Ex Kerelaw manager
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Feb 21 10 16:13
Our Ref: 8902
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"Michelle Wright, now 28, has won the right to sue in relation to the abuse she suffered whilst at Kerelaw between the ages of 10 and 15. This ruling also opens the way for other victims of abuse caught in the same position. Mr Fyfe has said that it is a major step in the right direction for those denied justice for so long." See Ref 8724 above.
There is incontrovertible evidence that M___ W___ was NOT a pupil in Kerelaw school when aged only 10 years' old. She was at least 13 years' old on admission. Case records will be able to corroborate this fact. Kerelaw open school did not admit children of primary school age.
Perhaps Glasgow City Council Insurers should be advised of this fact. Also, at the High Court trial of Matt and John the charges brought by the CPS on behalf of M___ W___ were disposed of as "Not Guilty".
A more thorough and detailed investigation is clearly required in respect of claims for compensation being pursued by ex Kerelaw pupils.
David Whelan
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Feb 26 10 19:35
Our Ref: 9094
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Dear Largs and Millport News.
While I cannot personally comment on the Kerelaw issues as I was never in the institution. I can say that that there were attempts to discredit genuine true victim survivors of Quarriers Homes by former carers and others who were involved in the intimidation of witnesses after some ex/employees were convicted including Mr John Porteous and Mr Sandy Wilson. True Justice is not served if there has been a miscarriage of justice in this Case, but it is for the Courts and the Juries independently to decide based on the facts and evidence presented it is also the same in relation to convictions.
Having been at the recieving end of a campaign by FACT members, Mr and Mrs Porteous, Secrets or Lies, BBC Frontline Scotland. I am aware of the reach of such an organisation. I also contacted Michael Barnes on a number of issues and how FACT propogate there message in relation to some of the historical abuse issues. Not everyone who claims that there are innocent will be, just as not everyone who claims to have been abused will be telling the truth. Genuine true victims of such historical abuse should not be tainted nor tarnished in the processes either.
David Whelan, Former Quarriers Homes Boy.
Anonymous
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Feb 27 10 13:01
Our Ref: 9109
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In response to David Whelan:
FACTS:
(i) Complainer M___ W___ was not a pupil at Kerelaw School when 10 yrs old as claimed by her solicitor, now pursuing compensation;
(ii) Charges brought by complainer M___ W___ against two former Kerelaw employees were disposed of as "Not Guilty", after trial;
(iii) I agree with your statement "...not everyone who claims to have been abused will be telling the truth". This is why the supporters of Matt George and John Muldoon are so incensed with the court verdict, and fully supportive and behind Matt and his family in his present appeal.
May I ask Mr Whelan what "Facts" supported the prosecution? No independent corroboration, no credible third party witness, no forensic evidence ... the ultimate findings of guilt all based on the now much discredited Moorov Doctrine.
Craig Diver
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Mar 4 10 12:15
Our Ref: 9275
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I too would like to respond to Mr Whelan! I AM A FORMER KERELAW RESIDENT and I can ASSURE YOU that the charges against MR GEORGE are FALSE!!!\r\n\r\nIf i had any doubt at all I WOULD NOT have given up my ANONYMITY in order to SUPPORT him!!!\r\n\r\nI would suggest that you read my substantial posting above!!\r\n\r\nAs has been mentioned elsewhere Mr George was convicted under the \"Moorov Doctrine\", that means NO FORENSIC EVIDENCE, NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER IN FACT, AND NO WITNESS EVIDENCE. All that was required was that certain people said the same thing had happened to them over a period of time of Mr George\'s tenure at the school!! \r\n\r\nNow in my above postings i gave examples of the callibre of individuals making these allegations and i stick by that 150%.\r\n\r\nMr Whelan i am sorry for your horrendous pain and what has happened to you (i have suffered abuse myself NOT AT KERELAW I HASTEN TO ADD) so therefor even more i say to you if Mr George had done these things I WOULD BE LEADING THE CAMPAIGN TO HAVE HIM CONVICTED AND NOT LEADING THE CAMPAIGN FOR HIS AQUITTAL IN WHAT IN MY VIEW IS A SERIOUS MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE!!!\r\n\r\nCraig Diver,\r\n\r\nDip. App. S.S.(Open) Former Kerelaw Resident!
Craig Diver
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Mar 4 10 12:23
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I too would like to respond to Mr Whelan! I AM A FORMER KERELAW RESIDENT and I can ASSURE YOU that the charges against MR GEORGE are FALSE!!!If i had any doubt at all I WOULD NOT have given up my ANONYMITY in order to SUPPORT him!!
I would suggest that you read my substantial posting above!!As has been mentioned elsewhere Mr George was convicted under the "Moorov Doctrine", that means NO FORENSIC EVIDENCE, NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER IN FACT, AND NO WITNESS EVIDENCE. All that was required was that certain people said the same thing had happened to them over a period of time of Mr George's tenure at the school!!
Now in my above postings i gave examples of the callibre of individuals making these allegations and i stick by that 150%.Mr Whelan i am sorry for your horrendous pain and what has happened to you (i have suffered abuse myself NOT AT KERELAW I HASTEN TO ADD) so therefor even more i say to you if Mr George had done these things I WOULD BE LEADING THE CAMPAIGN TO HAVE HIM CONVICTED AND NOT LEADING THE CAMPAIGN FOR HIS AQUITTAL IN WHAT IN MY VIEW IS A SERIOUS MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE!!!
Craig Diver,Dip. App. S.S.(Open)
Former Kerelaw Resident!
David Whelan
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Mar 5 10 00:11
Our Ref: 9306
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As I have stated it is for the Appeal Courts to decide based on the facts and evidence. If anyone has fact and evidence to support the fact that this is a Miscarriage of Justice,in this case then they should provide that evidence and facts to the defence team of those convicted to enable a full hearing on all the facts and evidence. As I have said I cannot personally comment on the Kerelaw issues as I was never in the institution.I will say it again, True Justice is not served if there has been a Miscarriage of Justice in this case and clearly many individuals are alledging that is the case in this particular case concerning Mr George.
David Whelan
Ex Kerelaw manager
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Mar 6 10 13:04
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Thank you David, I admire your objectivity and willingness to listen to a contrary view, without bias and prejudice, and to acknowledge that there is more than a remote chance that Matt George and John Muldoon are innocent.
The dice was loaded against Matt and John from the very outset, and there was a malicious campaign orchestrated by the local authority and the police (Operation Chalk) to secure convictions, by whatever means. I can find no evidence whatsoever of any critical examination of statements made against former Kerelaw staff.
It is unfortunate to say the least that a number of ex Kerelaw pupils, now adults in their 30's and 40's, most with blemished characters and serious criminal convictions, were persuaded to jump on the compensation bandwagon and to give "evidence" to the police, and then later in the highest court of law in the country, over a twelve-week trial. (High Court Edinburgh, trial ended June 2006.)
It is this evidence that is now open to question, especially if it is now known that claims were made for abuse to have been perpetrated against a particular pupil at dates when the pupil concerned was not even resident in Kerelaw. (see ref. 8724 above).
This was how Richard Webster was able to systematically and painstakingly challenge and confront evidence against many former teachers and carers working in residential care homes in Wales, as can now be read in his renowned publication: "The Secret of Bryn Estyn - The Making of a Modern Witch Hunt" Orwell Press, 2005.
Quoting from the cover of this book: " By February 2000, when Sir Ronald Waterhouse made damning findings of extensive abuse in north Wales, the police trawling operation which had begun there had spread to the entire country. Police forces across Britain collected allegations against 5,000 former care workers and hundreds were arrested."
David - you have impressed me with your comments and you have undoubtedly gone up in my estimation. Perhaps if you met Matt and heard his story, you would also be able to offer some help, similar to the support consistently being offered by Craig Diver, ex Kerelaw pupil (see refs above).
Craig sat through all of Matt's 12 week trial, so strongly did he feel in his views, and in his respect for Matt, matched only in intensity by his contempt for those making the allegations.
ex Kerelaw employee
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Mar 9 10 09:41
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Interesting observation from recent events in Glasgow City Council surrounding the unexpected exit of Council Leader Steven Purcell, and then his resignation as councillor. He's reputed to be sunning himself in Australia.
DID YOU KNOW?
(i) The Frizzell Report into alleged abuse at Kerelaw School (Joint Glasgow CC & Scot Govt) was published on 11th May 2009. Many ex Kerelaw pupils, many also known in the present-day Glasgow underworld as hardened criminals, were led on to believe there would be big bucks payouts coming there way - figures in excess of £8m mentioned in the press at that time;
(ii) Steven Purcell we now know was interviewed by the police Drugs Agency, as he was known in the gay scene, a confessed abuser of coccaine, and was being blackmailed??
Is this pure coincidence, or is there a direct link to be established between the two dates - 11th May 2009 and 12th May 2009? and Steven Purcell's high media exposure and vulnerability?
ex Kerelaw employee
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Mar 9 10 10:14
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Re last Comment and confirmation of date when Steven Purcell was interviewed in the City Chambers by the police in May of last year -
From The Scotsman:
"The news came as it emerged the former leader of Glasgow City Council had a "private meeting" with officers from Scotland's elite drug squad.
Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency officers spoke with Mr Purcell in his office in Glasgow City Chambers on 12 May last year. Mr Purcell was not cautioned or formally interviewed.
However, the fact the meeting took place will inevitably fuel speculation about his lifestyle and his "chemical dependency".
SNP MSP John Mason is asking some relevant questions:
"Yesterday, the former opposition leader in the city council, SNP MSP John Mason, said he had written to the chief executive of the council, as well as Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission, “to urge an open and transparent investigation into the practices of the council in recent years”.
Mr Mason, and current opposition leader James Dornan said that, on the back of claims some Labour figures had concerns about Mr Purcell’s drug misuse as far back as the 2008 Glasgow East by-election, the party must set the record straight.
He said: “The issue people in Glasgow want answers to is what has been going on in City Chambers not just in the last few weeks but over a period of years.”
Is there a sinister link to be evidenced and established between ex Council Leader Steven Purcell and the events at Kerelaw School?
There is a bad smell emanating from the City Council and some pertinent questions now require some answers!
anonymous
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Mar 9 10 21:47
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PROVERB:
‘The fish’, as the saying goes, ‘always stinks from the head downwards.’
The freshness of a dead fish can be judged from the condition of its head. Thus, when the responsible part (as the leader of a council, etc.) is rotten, the rest will soon follow. Gr. ἰχθὺς ἐκ ṯῇς κɛϕαλῇς ὄζɛίν ἄρχɛṯαί, a fish begins to stink from the head.
If the prouerbe be true,‥that a fishe beginneth first to smell at the head,‥the faultes of our seruantes will be layed vppon vs.
[1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo's Civil Conversation iii. 51]
The guilt of criminality attaches to those responsible. ‘Well,’ said the Aga Khan, ‘fish goes rotten by the head.’
[1915 W. S. Churchill Letter 3 Dec. in M. Gilbert Winston S. Churchill (1972) III. Compan. II. 1309]
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