Children’s home abuse victims may be given £20,000 each

A council may pay £20,000 to every victim of a child abuse scandal at one of its residential homes. Proposals for the payment will go before a full Dumfries and Galloway Council meeting on Thursday.

The victims were in Merkland Children’s Home in Moffat, Dumfriesshire, while they were in the care of the then Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council.

Peter Harley, the officer in charge at the home from 1977 to 1982, was jailed for 15 years at the High Court in Glasgow in April 1996 for a catalogue of abuse against boys.

The recommendations by the director of social work include making a public apology to victims of the abuse through the leader of the council, followed by written apologies to the individuals and “ex gratia payments of £20,OOO” to each of the 20 adult survivors.

The working group report, due to be considered at the meeting, has identified 20 people “who disclosed abuse” which led to charges against Harley.

The report also recommends a contingency sum of £400,000 is also set aside for other victims at the home but have not come forward.

A summary of the report dated September 22 reads: “The lives of the adult survivors have been irreparably damaged as a result and the council’s reputation has been tarnished. Some individuals obtained compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in relation to the abuse suffered.

“Others were unsuccessful in their applications. The individuals also sought to sue the council but their cases were dismissed in court in 2003 as time barred.

“Whilst the cases were being litigated, the council was not able to consider making any financial payment to those affected.

“It is now considered appropriate that the council agrees to make ex gratia payments to the adult survivors.”

Harley, whose address when he was sentenced was Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, admitted 17 indecency charges involving boys aged six to 16, between 1977 and 1982. He was 50 when he was jailed for 15 years.

Some of his victims have been unable to form proper relationships later in life and others were driven to drink and drugs.

The home closed in 1982.

The full council meeting starts at 10.30am on Thursday at the council offices in English Street, Dumfries.