Former children's home manager convicted of historical abuse of ten children

A former children’s home manager has been convicted of historical abuse of young people.

Edward Stanton preyed on a total of ten victims including raping one girl.

Jurors heard how at least one boy tried to raise the alarm what was happening, but that the accusations were “brushed under the carpet”.

The abuse occurred at three different children’s homes in Lanarkshire.

Stanton, now 73, had been the manager at one and a carer at the other two between 1985 and 1994.

He had denied the accusations during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

But, he was found guilty of 11 charges after the jury heard distressing accounts of how the victims had suffered over the years.

Following the verdicts, it emerged he was previously jailed for 13 years in 1996 for historical abuse of boys at a children’s home in Merseyside.

In 2021, he was convicted of attacks on two other youngsters at the same establishment around that time.

Stanton has also been jailed for possessing indecent images of children and breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

He remains in custody and will be sentenced for these latest crimes at a later date.

The trial was told how Stanton was physically abusive to a boy and carried out sex attacks on a teenage girl including at a campsite in Dumfries.

Stanton preyed on another victim while she was initially asleep.

A victim recalled how he was only young at the time, but knew what was happening was “not right”. He was left feeling “scared” of Stanton.

One resident was molested while in a tent.

This boy had alerted a member of staff at the time, but he was “not believed”.

He said he and others were “vulnerable children…meant to be in a place of safety”.

But, he added reports of such matters appeared to be “brushed under the carpet”.

Another boy was also left terrified of Stanton who gave him money to effectively buy his silence.

A further victim remembered speaking to staff, but “nothing was done”.

In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Scott McKenzie said one then resident recalled Stanton as initially being “nice” and that he had never previously had anyone show him any attention.

But, the violent bully soon showed his “true colours” by repeatedly punching and kicking him.

One girl was aged around seven when Stanton targeted her and went on to rape her.

The final victim on the indictment had only been at the children’s home where Stanton was then based for two nights, but he was still able to take advantage of her.

She has been left suffering from “flashbacks”.

Stanton was convicted of charges of rape, numerous indecent assaults, lewd and libidinous behaviour as well as physical attacks.

Judge Andrew Miller deferred sentencing for reports.