PETER FELVUS OF NEWARTHILL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN SCOTLAND

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Newarthill and the surrounding areas, Peter Felvus, a man with a troubling history of criminal behavior, was found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young girls. The incidents, which took place nearly two decades ago, have left lasting scars on the victims and their families, and have reignited discussions about justice and the protection of vulnerable children in Scotland.

Felvus, who previously worked as a football coach at Keir Hardie Primary and as a school bus driver for Our Lady’s High School, was convicted last week at Hamilton Sheriff Court. The court proceedings revealed that Felvus preyed on two particularly vulnerable girls, aged just six and ten at the time of the abuse. It was also disclosed that he paid one of his victims a sum of £2 each time he sexually assaulted her, highlighting the manipulative and predatory nature of his crimes.

The court's decision came after a retrial, as it was determined that the jury had been misdirected during his initial trial. Felvus, a resident of Newarthill, was previously sentenced to three years and four months in prison for similar offenses, but was released after serving his sentence. His release did not mark the end of his legal troubles, as the recent conviction has led to his placement on the sex offenders’ register, with sentencing deferred until December 18.

During the trial, the victims were compelled to relive their traumatic experiences, which included abuse in Felvus’s car while he was delivering Chinese takeaway meals. One victim recounted how Felvus initially appeared to be a kind and gentle man, but his true nature was revealed when he began to touch her inappropriately while she was trying to drive his vehicle. She described feeling confused and betrayed, as her perception of him shifted from trust to disgust.

Aileen, the ex-wife of Felvus, who was married to him for 25 years after meeting him at the age of 15, expressed her unwavering condemnation of her former husband. She stated, “I will never forgive him for what he has put us through. He is a very dangerous man and deserves to be behind bars. He ruined the lives of the young girls he abused and his selfish, horrid actions have torn our family apart. He was a very manipulative man and forced us into believing his lies.”

Felvus’s son, Philip, who resides in Newmains, also spoke out about the impact of his father’s crimes. The 30-year-old revealed that he had attempted to take his own life after discovering the extent of his father’s actions. “I have lost my dad. I don’t want to know him anymore. The thought of him going to prison breaks my heart but he deserves to pay for what he has done. He won’t get to see my children again, and I dread the day they start asking questions about him,” Philip said. He also reflected on the turmoil within their family, including feuds and broken relationships, expressing hope that they can now begin to heal and move forward.

Felvus’s criminal history also includes a previous conviction in January 2014, when he was sentenced to three years and four months for abusing three young girls in Newarthill during the mid-1990s. The sheriff at that time emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, particularly those committed over an extended period against one victim until she was 11 years old. Despite Felvus’s protests of innocence, the court maintained that only a prison sentence was appropriate, and he was taken into custody immediately.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Felvus maintained his innocence, denying the allegations and claiming that his ex-wife was fabricating stories to retaliate against him. However, the jury’s guilty verdict confirmed his culpability, and the court’s decision underscores the importance of holding offenders accountable, especially those who exploit their positions of trust and manipulate vulnerable children for their own depraved purposes.