PETER LIVINGSTONE'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN EDINBURGH AND PENCAITLAND: FORMER SOCIAL WORKER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

A man who once served as a social worker and was entrusted with the care of vulnerable children has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed during his time at a Barnardo’s residential facility in East Lothian. Peter Livingstone, aged 67, was found guilty of multiple charges related to the abuse of boys at Tyneholm House in Pencaitland during the early 1980s, and he has now been sentenced to serve time behind bars and placed on the sex offenders' register.

Livingstone’s criminal conduct was described as a “depraved” campaign of physical and sexual abuse that took place while he was employed at the charity’s residential home. The abuse spanned several years, with allegations dating back to between April 1979 and April 1983. During this period, Livingstone engaged in a series of disturbing acts against at least three boys, exploiting his position of trust within the care facility.

One of the victims, a young boy, was indecently assaulted on multiple occasions, during which Livingstone removed the child's clothing and massaged his body. Another victim, aged between 12 and 13 at the time, was subjected to indecent touching by Livingstone, who also instructed him to perform a sex act in his presence. These incidents occurred over a period from April 1981 to November 1982. A third boy was physically seized and dragged by the hair by Livingstone, who then forced him to remove his clothing and stand naked facing the corner of a room within the care home.

Livingstone denied all allegations during the trial, which lasted eight days at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. However, the jury found him guilty of six charges, including assault, indecent assault, and lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices. The court did not find sufficient evidence to convict him on two additional charges of indecent assault and one of lewd practices. The verdict confirmed that these offenses took place at Tyneholm House, Pencaitland, during the specified period.

The charity Barnardo’s issued a statement expressing their support for the victims, praising their bravery in coming forward and condemning Livingstone’s actions. During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss emphasized the gravity of Livingstone’s betrayal of trust, stating that he had been in “the position of the highest trust” and had “betrayed that trust for your own depraved ends.”

In his remarks, the sheriff highlighted the severity of the crimes, noting that given the nature of the offenses, only a custodial sentence was appropriate. Livingstone, who resides in Clermiston, Edinburgh, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and will be on the sex offenders' register for ten years. His defense advocate, James Wallace, maintained that Livingstone continued to deny guilt and suffers from long-standing health issues, including depression.

Martin Crewe, the director of Barnardo’s Scotland, expressed his organization’s condemnation of Livingstone’s actions, paying tribute to the victims’ courage. He reaffirmed Barnardo’s commitment to safeguarding children and young people in their care. Lynne Barrie, the Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, condemned Livingstone’s exploitation of his position of authority, emphasizing that the abuse inflicted lasting trauma on the victims and that justice had been served through his conviction and sentencing.