Nuns who admitted abusing children in care avoid jail

Two former nuns who admitted abusing children at Nazareth House in Glasgow in the 1970s and 1980s were given probation, unpaid work and victim payments instead of prison.

Two former nuns who admitted abusing children at a Glasgow care home in the 1970s and 1980s were sentenced without receiving prison terms. The women worked at Nazareth House in Cardonald and were said to have targeted eight vulnerable children. Both pleaded guilty earlier this month and the sheriff described the conduct as violent and degrading. The court recorded that the home had not provided the safety and care expected of it. Court and sentencing details: - Marie O'Gorman and Mary McGuire admitted abusing eight children at Nazareth House during the 1970s and 1980s. - Both pleaded guilty; the sheriff imposed probation orders and ordered the women to pay £1,000 to each victim. McGuire was also ordered to complete 225 hours of unpaid work and both were placed under supervision for two years. - Both women have been deemed unsuitable to work with children. - The sheriff said the conduct had been violent, humiliating and degrading and noted institutional failings at the care home. Summary: Victims received financial payments and the court imposed supervision and community measures rather than prison sentences. The sentencing record acknowledged harm to children and identified failings at Nazareth House. Undetermined at this time.