Former care worker who raped and abused vulnerable young people in care homes jailed for 15 years

A former care worker who sexually and physically abused vulnerable young people while working at residential care homes in Scotland has been jailed for 15 years.

Edward Stanton was found guilty of 11 charges, including rape, on May 21 following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

The 73-year-old targeted a total of ten victims, aged between six to 22, between May 1985 and April 1994.

The court heard how Stanton abused some of the children while employed as a manager at Bellshill Children’s Home in North Lanarkshire.

He went on to abuse the remaining victims while later working as a carer at Wooddean Children’s Home in Bothwell, and Flemington House, Uddingston.

On Monday, Stanton was jailed for 15 years at the High Court in Aberdeen.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Fiona Kirkby, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “Edward Stanton systematically abused children, who should have been safe under his care, for almost a decade.

“He exploited his position of trust and power while inflicting trauma on vulnerable young people, who continue to deal with the consequences today.

“This prosecution would not have been possible without the victims giving evidence, and I thank them for their help in securing justice.

“The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service is committed to robustly prosecuting non-recent allegations of abuse of children in care.

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