Merkland Sex Abuse Victims Win Breakthrough Victory Over Council

Victims of sexual abuse at notorious care home have won £1.3m in compensation after 47 years of seeking justice.

Three survivors survived attacks by predator Peter Harley at Merkland Children’s Home in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway.

Harley, now 79 and jailed at HMP Barlinnie, was jailed three times for child molestation in the 1970s, making him one of Scotland’s worst sex offenders.

However, there are concerns that he may have been part of a wider paedophile network whose victims continue to come forward.

There are now calls for the Scottish Child Abuse Commission to speed up its investigation into Merkland, and for police to interview Harley in the hope of bringing other abusers to justice.

Richard Pitts, a partner at Digby Brown in Edinburgh, said: “The £1.3m recovered shows just how serious this fraud was. It is also a landmark figure as it is the highest known sum recovered by survivors of fraud claims in Merkland.

“Harley abused the most vulnerable children in the most cruel ways possible – he was cunning, he abused his power and he showed no remorse.

“However, there are concerns within the survivor community that this is just the tip of the iceberg, as Harley is part of a larger network in which he and others have effectively used Merkland as a hunting ground.

“It is therefore vital that the Scottish Child Abuse Commission fully investigates the Merkland case as soon as possible to shine a light on this dark chapter and to allow victims to receive the recognition they deserve, because as well as recognition for all victims, it is equally important that all perpetrators are brought to justice.”

“Harley abused the most vulnerable children in the most brutal ways possible – he was cunning, abused his power and showed no remorse.”

Richard Pitts and Digby Brown

The children were sent to Merkland Children’s Home in Moffat after being neglected at home, but were targeted by Harley, who used his position as care home manager.

The serial paedophile – known as ‘Pops Harley’ – was found guilty of numerous offences against minors between 1977 and 1982.

Previous reports have revealed that he attacked children when they woke up at night from bad dreams. Others were molested while they sat on his lap watching television.

In December 2000, he was sentenced to a further eight years in prison after being convicted at a second trial in Cardiff – relating to abuse that occurred during a group trip to Wales.

Then in 2022, he was jailed for a third time – this time for three years – after two previously unknown victims came forward.

All three recent abuse claims in Merkland against Dumfries and Galloway Council were raised as lawsuits. The council eventually settled out of court, with each survivor receiving six-figure sums.

Each of the three survivors was involved in the trials against Harley – two of them took place in 1996 and one in 2022.

Two more Merkland abuse cases against the council are ongoing, but details cannot be disclosed to protect victims.

A Dumfries and Galloway Council spokesman said: “It would be entirely inappropriate for the council to comment on individual cases or any matters which are currently the subject of legal proceedings.

“Where the council has public liability insurance, compensation payments are made through the council’s insurers.”