Brian Dailey, aged 75, was convicted of sexually abusing 11 children whilst being employed at a school in Edinburgh. 

He subjected boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 12 to sexual abuse over a number of years from 1969 until 1979. Dailey had previously been convicted of similar offences in 2017 and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment then. 

Police began investigating Dailey again after more of his victims came forward following the first conviction. 

Dailey had worked at Smyllum Park orphanage in Lanark and Ladymary residential school in Edinburgh’s Colinton. He again denied the allegations which were made against him. He told the court that Smyllum had started as a volunteer. He was found guilty at trial of abusing three boys there. 

He then began working at Ladymary and he was convicted of raping one girl and sexually and physically abusing other children. Dailey described the allegations as ‘rubbish’. When the jury returned their verdict they were informed of Dailey’s previous convictions for abusing a number of other children. 

Lord Stuart sentenced Dailey to 15 years imprisonment and stated: “It is clear from the evidence available to the jurors  that you caused irrevocable damage and you blighted the lives of those who you abused. You have caused permanent physical and psychological harm which they will never recover from.”

He continued: “To put it simply you have ruined the lives of these children. They came looking to you for care and support and they received abuse instead.”