Children’s charity slams Quarrier Homes abuser

A national children’s charity has slammed a former Renfrewshire house mother after she abused youngsters for almost three decades.

Anne Whitty carried out abuse on 12 children at Quarriers Home in Bridge of Weir between 1974 and 2003.

Following a trial spanning almost three weeks at Paisley Sheriff Court, the jury found Whitty, of Turnhill Drive in Erskine, guilty of 11 charges of “cruel” and“unnatural treatment”of children whose“care and protection”she was responsible for.

Earlier this week, the disgraced 73-year-old avoided a jail term and Sheriff Tom McCartney sentenced her to complete 300 hours of community service.

Sheriff McCartney told her:“The victims were children, vulnerable children, placed in your care and protection – you were in a position of trust. The offending is of a serious nature.

“The evidence came from survivors of this abuse, all now adults. They displayed strength and bravery coming to court and gave evidence that would have been difficult for them.

“It is a concern you remain unable to acknowledge the extent of the ill treatment.”

Whitty’s defence agent Paul Mullen admitted there had been a“failure on her part to safeguard children”.

A spokesperson for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Scotland (NSPCC) told the Express:“This is a deeply upsetting case involving horrendous physical and psychological abuse against children spanning almost three decades. Whitty used and abused her position of trust to inflict pain and suffering on those in her care.

“Abuse on this scale can have a lifelong impact and the survivors have shown incredible courage in coming forward to speak out about these terrible experiences.

“We hope they are now receiving all the support they need to move forwards with their lives.

“Any adult concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC helpline at help@nspcc.org.uk or by calling 0808 800 5000.”