A caretaker paedophile from Johnstone, Andrew Ward, convicted of child sexual abuse, has been disqualified from practice.
Andrew Ward was found guilty of the historical assaults at Greenock Sheriff Court on May 18 of the previous year.
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) conducted a hearing to evaluate the evidence about his competence to practise.
Between November 14, 1986, and November 13, 1988, Andrew Ward repeatedly committed indecent assaults on a youngster by inappropriately stroking his genitalia beneath his clothing, performing sexual actions, and physically pushing him.
On other occasions between February 23, 1987 and February 22, 1989, Andrew Ward was found to have used “lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour” towards another boy.
The SSSC heard that Andrew Ward “repeatedly” seized him by the body, restrained him, touched his genitalia and carried out sexual acts.
The council also considered that on one occasion, sometime between December 29, 1992 and December 28, 1994, he targeted a third boy by getting into his bed while naked, and acting inappropriately.
Andrew Ward was older than each of the children when the incidents occurred, and was a legal adult during more than one of them, according to the SSSC.
The watchdog said: “Your conduct is extremely serious and constitutes a gross breach of trust.
“Your actions would likely have caused the children fear and alarm and have placed them at risk of physical, emotional and psychological harm.”
It continued that Andrew Ward’s actions were “fundamentally incompatible” with the social services profession, citing ongoing public protection concerns.
The SSSC concluded that, considering the “extreme” nature of his actions, and no evidence of remediation, a removal order would be imposed effective April 27.
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