Jailed Largs man Matt George has commenced his make-or-break appeal at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Last Tuesday, the former teacher of Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston began his bid for freedom after years of protesting his innocence.
Back in 2006, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for physical and sexual abuses against pupils, but now hopes to show the court new evidence that will allow him to permanently return to family life in Rosebank Gardens, Largs.
Speaking this week, Mr George – who has been granted interim bail in recent times – stated his belief that the appeal was “going reasonably well” after he gave evidence under oath on Friday.
Members of his family were expected to do likewise this week, and the grandfather-of-four said: “We’ve got a second chance at this.”
Former Kerelaw pupil and long-term supporter of Mr George, Craig Diver also expressed tentative hopes over the appeal and told the ‘News’: “The Judge in the chair has been referring to Kerelaw as a List D School and not ‘a home’ as was described in the original trial. He also recognised that delinquent boys were sent there by the Children’s Panel.
“Simon Di Rollo QC for Matt has been very, very good. He’s been going over point by point. We have been able to see where a police officer has deliberately inhibited Matt and his legal team from getting relevant documents.
“We’ve also seen many failings by his original team to call vital witnesses and to obtain vital materials, such as records, which would go a long way to proving his innocence.”
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