Sadistic Teacher Out Of Jail 8 Years Early

Dec 23 2007 By Norman Silvester

A SADISTIC teacher jailed for sexually and physically abusing vulnerable children has been sensationally freed for Christmas - after serving less than two years of a 10-year sentence.

Art master Matthew George is back home after being given leave to appeal his conviction for torturing pupils at a residential school.

George, who was locked up for 10 years, practised his martial arts skills on children, fired golf balls at them in the gym and forced at least one to perform a sex act on him.

The victims who testified against him in a nine-week trial were told by the Crown Office of the decision to free him.

Three judges gave him leave to make an appeal, based on the conduct of the police investigation and the credibility of the victims' evidence.

George, who had spent 22 months behind bars and was not eligible for parole until 2011, is at home in Largs, Ayrshire, with his wife Yvonne.

Approached by a Sunday Mail reporter, George said: "I am not going to speak about this with you."

Victims told the trial that George sexually abused youngsters and punched, kicked and shook them at Kerelaw school in Ayrshire, which was run by Glasgow Council.

He also practised martial arts skills on pupils and used a club to fire golf balls at them in the gym as punishment.

One former pupil said George tried to have sex with him as he got out of a bath and he was convicted of forcing kids to perform a sex act on him.

George, 57, was set free on December 13 in Edinburgh. A spokesman for the High Court said: "We can confirm Matthew George was given interim liberation."

If his appeal, which will be heard next year, is successful and his conviction overturned, he could still be subject to a retrial.

One of George's victims, who lives in Maryhill, Glasgow, said: "I was shocked to learn of this. We were told under the procurator fiscal's victim-notification scheme.

"This man committed some very serious crimes against children. He should not be back on the streets until this appeal has been dealt with."

Kerelaw, in Stevenston, took in children from courts or children's hearings before it was closed down last year.

Many youngsters had committed crimes, including murder. But it also housed truants and children who had difficulties at home.

During the trial, 21 men and 17 women gave evidence about the abuse they claimed had been inflicted by George and residential care worker John Muldoon going back 30 years.

One man with a conviction for firearms offences claimed he had returned to the school intending to shoot George.

He said he changed his mind when he saw a class full of kids.

Jailing George at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Paton said he had abused his power to cause "fear, misery, pain and humiliation".

Muldoon, 53, was sentenced to two-and a half years for going into girls' rooms or showers and lying on one youngster's bed and fondling her.

He was freed on parole in July, half way through his sentence.

Yvonne George, along with grown-up daughters Mida and Lisa, has led a campaign to have her husband's conviction re-examined.

She could not be contacted for comment but she told a friend: "Matt has been given leave to appeal, which is wonderful. It's a step forward.

"We have come a long way and Matt will never rest to clear his name until he dies."

Children's minister Adam Ingram last month announced a public inquiry into the way Kerelaw was run.

Bob Forrest, former head of Kerelaw, claims there was mismanagement by the council.

mailfile

Terror timetable

JUNE 2004: Three staff suspended. Police start probe.

OCTOBER 2004: Council decides to shut Kerelaw.

SEPTEMBER 2005: Head Jim Hunter and deputy Chris Johnson sacked.

FEBRUARY 2006: Art teacher Matthew George, 56, and care worker John Muldoon, 52, on trial.

MARCH 2006: School closes.

JUNE 2006: George and Muldoon jailed. Police charge a further 10 men and a woman.

JUNE 2007: After a three-year investigation, Glasgow Counci say 40 staff abused children.

NOVEMBER 2007: School inquiry announced.

JUNE 2006

Jailed for 10 years

'Judge Lady Paton said: "You have been convicted of a horrifying catalogue of offences."'

DECEMBER 2007

Freed after 22 months

'George is now back home with his wife and family after being granted leave to appeal by judges'

'He shouldn't be on the streets until his appeal has been dealt with'

Victim of George

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