Children's home worker gets five years for abuse

Francis Hannaway (63), of Columba Court, Viewpark, was convicted after a month-long trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

He denied any wrongdoing and went into the witness box to claim that the evidence against him was lies.

However, in September a jury found him guilty of abusing a girl at a house in Viewpark over an eight-year period. The victim was only six when Hannaway first molested her.

Hannaway was also found guilty of abusing a girl aged 11 at a children’s home in Lanarkshire in 2014, but an allegation that he abused another girl at a second children’s home was found not proven.

During the trial a juror was discharged because she found the graphic evidence too upsetting. At the end of the case the remaining jurors were told counselling would be available for them if needed.

Hannaway was cleared of charges relating to other youngsters. These involved sexual abuse, making comments of a sexual nature and inappropriate use of social media.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Douglas Brown told Hannaway he will be on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and will be supervised closely for three years on his release from prison.