A former residential social worker who preyed on boys at a children’s home has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Peter Livingstone, 67, physically and sexually abused five children while working at Tyneholm House in Pencaitland, East Lothian, between 1979 and 1983.
The home – which in its later years accommodated children with physical and learning disabilities – closed in 1985.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Livingstone was employed to look after vulnerable youngsters who required “structure, care and emotional support”.
Instead, he exploited his position of power.
Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss told Livingstone: “As it was put during the trial, your job was to act in place of a parent for these boys.
“As such you were in a position of the highest trust. That was a trust that you betrayed for your own depraved ends.”
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A court heard how Livingstone 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.
He also grabbed the boy by the neck and pressed his knuckles into his head.
COPFS said the “house parent” sexually abused a second child by massaging his body and touching him indecently.
A third boy was repeatedly assaulted by Livingstone, while a fourth child was sexually abused.
Livingstone forced a fifth child to remove his clothing and stand naked in the corner of a room.
Police Scotland said the boys were aged between 11 and 17 at the time.
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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.”
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Livingstone denied any wrongdoing but was last month found guilty of six charges following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
He was convicted of assault; two counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour; assault to injury; and two counts of indecent assault.
Sheriff Auchincloss stated: “You continue to deny your offending. That is your right.
“But it also means that you have shown no remorse or insight into the impact your offending has had.”
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Livingstone was jailed for two years and six months when he returned to the dock on Friday.
He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
Detective Inspector Jim McLauchlan, of Police Scotland’s national child abuse investigation unit, said: “Peter Livingstone abused his position of trust working with children and I would commend the victims for coming forward and reporting his behaviour to us.
“I hope this sentencing gives the victims and their families some kind of closure.”
