ANDREW WARD AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE AT GREENOCK CHRISTIAN MISSION AND CARE HOME

Andrew Ward, a man convicted of heinous sexual offenses against young boys while working at a Christian mission in Greenock, has recently been officially struck off the care register, marking a significant development in his case.

Last year, Ward, aged 53 at the time, was sentenced to three years in prison after a sheriff described his crimes as 'heinous.' He was found guilty of multiple charges of indecent assault and engaging in lewd, indecent, and libidinous acts toward boys aged between nine and 15. The court heard that over an eight-year period, Ward exploited his position and influence as a volunteer at the Barnard's Court Mission, located in the east end of Greenock, to carry out his abusive actions.

The Telegraph previously reported that Ward engaged in repeated, disturbing acts of molestation on the children in his care, spanning from 1986 to 1994. The victims, now traumatized adults, provided harrowing testimony during a four-day trial, recounting how Ward targeted them in various locations, including common closes and onboard a minibus. Their accounts painted a grim picture of exploitation and abuse.

During a sentencing hearing at Greenock Sheriff Court, it was revealed that Ward's wife, with whom he shares a child, chose to leave him following his police charges. A defence lawyer requested that the court consider Ward’s age at the time of offending, which ranged from 17 to 25, arguing that he had since led a constructive life and contributed positively to the local community. However, the severity of his actions remained clear.

In addition to his criminal conviction, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) recently announced that Ward has been removed from the care register. The decision follows the SSSC's review, which concluded that Ward’s fitness to practice in social services is impaired due to his conduct, which they described as 'fundamentally incompatible with the principles of the social services profession and professional registration.'

The official report stated, 'Your conduct is extremely serious and constitutes a gross breach of trust. There are ongoing public protection concerns as the behaviour is of an extreme nature. There is no evidence of any remediation from you. Conduct of this nature raises serious and fundamental questions about your values, and there is a risk that this behaviour may be repeated in the future.'

Last year, Greenock Sheriff Court heard that Ward displayed 'no insight' into his offending behavior. His attitude was described as 'poor,' with him dismissing his victims as 'evil liars.' This attitude reflects a troubling lack of remorse or understanding. The jury, taking only 35 minutes to reach a verdict, found him guilty on all charges, which led to his indefinite placement on the Sex Offenders Register.

The SSSC report emphasized the dangerous and unrepentant nature of Ward’s conduct, noting that his abuse posed a serious risk of physical, emotional, and psychological harm to the children involved. Since he was an adult relative to the victims and in a position of trust, his abuse represented a gross breach of that trust, constituting a pattern of misconduct over several years.

Given the seriousness of his actions, the SSSC panel determined that no other sanctions were appropriate beyond removing Ward’s registration, which took effect on the Thursday preceding the report. This decision underscores the ongoing concern for public safety and the importance of maintaining trust and integrity within social services and care professions in Greenock and beyond.