Former social worker who sexually abused boys at East Lothian children's home jailed

A former social worker who physically and sexually abused boys at an East Lothian children’s home has been jailed.

Peter Livingstone was found guilty of six charges on February 14, 2025 following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The 67-year-old worked at Tyneholm House in Pencaitland, between 1979 and 1983.

The court heard how Livingstone was employed to look after vulnerable children and young adults, who required structure, care and emotional support.

But after securing the trust of his victims, he exploited his position of power by abusing five children at the home.

He repeatedly assaulted one child by seizing and dragging him by the hair, throwing him onto a bed, punching him on the body and pressing or kneeling on his chest.

Livingstone also seized the victim by the neck and pressed his knuckles into his head.

He sexually abused a second child.

A third victim was repeatedly assaulted by Livingstone, who would seize him by the body, on one occasion, dragging the child into a room before attacking him.

Livingstone sexually abused a fourth child and forced a fifth to remove his clothing and stand naked in the corner of a room.

He was found guilty of two charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour, two charges of indecent assault, one charge of assault and one charge of assault to injury.

He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register for a period of ten years.

Lynne Barrie, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said: “Peter Livingstone cruelly exploited a position of trust and power to prey on vulnerable children.

“These boys should have been safe under his care but were instead abused and assaulted, causing them lasting trauma.

“I would like to commend the strength and courage of the victims, and to thank them for coming forward. This prosecution would not have been possible without them.

“COPFS is committed to robustly prosecuting non-recent allegations of abuse of children in care and securing justice.

“I would urge anyone who has experienced similar offending to come forward and report it, regardless of how long ago the offences took place.”