ANDREW WARD FROM GREENOCK STRIPPED OF CARE REGISTRATION AFTER HEINOUS CHILD SEX ABUSE

In May 2023, a disturbing case involving Andrew Ward, a man from Greenock, came to light as he was officially removed from the care register following a series of heinous crimes. Ward, who previously worked as a Christian mission worker in Greenock, was convicted last year of sexually abusing young boys over an extended period of eight years, a crime that has shocked the local community and prompted serious concerns about safeguarding and trust.

Ward, aged 53 at the time of sentencing, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges including indecent assault and engaging in lewd, indecent, and libidinous acts towards his victims. The court heard that his victims were boys aged between nine and 15, and that Ward exploited his position of influence as a volunteer at the Barnard's Court Mission, located in the east end of Greenock, to carry out his abusive acts.

Details of the abuse emerged during a harrowing four-day trial, where the victims provided emotional and distressing testimonies about how Ward targeted them in various locations, including a common close and on a minibus. The court was told that Ward’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of predatory behavior spanning from 1986 to 1994.

Following his conviction, Ward’s personal life was also affected; his wife, with whom he shares a child, separated from him after police charges were brought against him. The case drew significant media attention, with reports highlighting the severity of his crimes and the betrayal of trust involved.

In a recent development, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) issued a report confirming that Ward, who also worked at a local care home, has been removed from the care register. The decision was based on the findings that his conduct was fundamentally incompatible with the principles of social services and professional registration. The report emphasized that Ward’s actions were extremely serious, representing a gross breach of trust and raising ongoing public protection concerns due to the extreme nature of his behavior.

The SSSC noted that there was no evidence of remediation or remorse from Ward, and expressed concern that such conduct could potentially be repeated in the future. The report stated, “Your conduct is extremely serious and constitutes a gross breach of trust. There are ongoing public protection concerns as the behavior 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 behavior may be repeated in the future.”

During proceedings at Greenock Sheriff Court last year, it was revealed that Ward displayed a lack of insight into his offending, dismissing his victims as “evil liars” and showing a poor attitude towards his crimes. The jury took only 35 minutes to convict him, and he was subsequently placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

The SSSC’s report further highlighted the danger posed by Ward’s actions, stating, “Your actions exposed the children concerned to serious risk of physical, emotional, and psychological harm. There was therefore a presumption of trust, and your conduct represents a gross abuse of this. Your behavior amounts to a pattern of conduct over a significant period of time.”

In light of the severity of his misconduct, the SSSC panel determined that no other sanctions were appropriate and officially removed Ward from the care register, a decision that took effect on the Thursday prior to the report’s publication. This case underscores the importance of safeguarding measures and the devastating impact of abuse by individuals entrusted with caring for vulnerable children in Greenock and beyond.