Former children’s home manager jailed for abuse

A former children’s home manager has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of historical abuse.

Edward Stanton, 73, was found guilty of 11 offences against 10 victims, including the rape of a young girl.

The abuse happened at three children’s homes in Lanarkshire, which cannot be named for legal reasons.

Following the verdicts, it was revealed that Stanton had been jailed for 13 years in 1996 for historical abuse of boys at a children’s home in Merseyside.

He was also convicted in 2021 of attacks on two other youngsters at the same home.

In addition to those offences, Stanton had previously been jailed for possessing indecent images of children and breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Judge Andrew Miller told Stanton he posed a “high risk” of reoffending.

He said: “Your crimes were aggravated by the very significant breach of trust that they involved.

“They were committed against vulnerable children and young people during periods in their lives when they had to be accommodated in residential care.

“They should have been able to look to you – a member of staff – for support.”

Stanton was sentenced at the High Court in Aberdeen following the latest convictions.

The trial last month was told he carried out sex attacks on a teenage girl, including at a campsite in Dumfries.

He preyed on another victim while she was initially asleep.

One resident who was molested in a tent had reported the abuse to a staff member at the time, but he was “not believed”, the court heard.

Addressing the trial, the victim said he and others were “vulnerable children” that were “meant to be in a place of safety”.

But he said reports of the abuse appeared to be “brushed under the carpet”.

Another victim told the court that Stanton gave him money to effectively buy his silence.

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

The court also heard that the former care home manager was violent towards children.

One victim recalled being repeatedly punched and kicked.

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

After the hearing Det Sgt Ruth Whyte praised the bravery of the paedophile’s victims.

She said: “Edward Stanton abused his position of trust and power over a nine-year period and now faces the consequences of his despicable actions.

“I know how difficult it can be to report these types of crimes and would like to commend his victims for their strength in coming forward during the investigation.

“Their information was essential in helping us build the case against him and I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure.”