Sign in Subscribe
Administration of justice

Retired Social Worker's Life "Almost Destroyed" by Wrongful Historical Abuse Accusations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Steve Cowan, a 67-year-old retired social worker, was wrongly accused of historical abuse charges related to his work at a school for boys with emotional and behavioral difficulties in the 1980s and 1990s. Cowan, along with five co-accused, was cleared of all charges following a seven-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Despite his innocence, Cowan's life was turned upside down as he faced a series of allegations, police questioning, and ultimately, a trial that cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal aid.

Key Takeaways:

  • Steve Cowan, a 67-year-old retired social worker, was wrongly accused of 50 historical abuse charges related to his work at a school for boys with emotional and behavioral difficulties in the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Cowan, along with five co-accused, was cleared of all charges following a seven-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow, with a unanimous verdict delivered on September 25, 2022.
  • The trial lasted for seven weeks, during which Cowan was subjected to police questioning, and ultimately, a trial that resulted in all charges being dropped.
  • Despite his innocence, Cowan's life was turned upside down, and he faced a series of allegations, which he believes were fueled by rumors and a lack of evidence.
  • The case has cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal aid, and Cowan fears that this ordeal may deter people from working in the care sector.
  • Cowan maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal and was supported by his family and friends, who never doubted his innocence.
  • The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has stated that they are committed to the effective, rigorous, and fair investigation of allegations of historical child abuse, but note that no issues with the sufficiency of evidence in the Crown case were raised in court.

Statistics:

  • 50 historical abuse charges were brought against Steve Cowan and his co-accused.
  • The trial lasted for seven weeks, from which the jury delivered a unanimous verdict on September 25, 2022.
  • The case cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal aid.
  • Steve Cowan, along with five co-accused, was cleared of all charges.
  • The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) handled the case.

Sources:

  • "Six men cleared of historical abuse charges at boys school" by The Herald on Sunday (2022)
  • "Rape shield laws to be extended after Holyrood vote" by The Herald (2022)
  • "Scotland facing 'critical risk' from overcrowding in prisons" by The Herald (2022)
  • "I spent the day inside HMP Low Moss and here's what I found" by The Herald (2022)

Read more