A RESIDENTIAL school worker from Beith faces claims of historical child sex abuse as well as allegedly horse-whipping one child and staring at boys in the shower.

George Wilson Gold, 60, denies lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour as well as alleged assaults on two boys back in the 80s during his employment at Redbrae Residential School, Maybole.

He is accused of assaulting one child, then aged 12-13, by slapping him on the head on various occasions from June 5, in 1983 and December 31, 1984.

Mr Gold faces a second charge of pulling down the child’s trousers and striking his naked buttocks.

It is further alleged he pulled open the shower curtain, while the boy was showering, and stood staring at his naked body.

The Crown’s indictment claims the accused then induced the boy to carry out an act upon himself.

It is alleged Mr Gold also assaulted a second child, then aged 11-12, on various occasions from January 1 and December 31, 1984, by beating him with a horse whip, to his injury.

It is claimed he also pulled open the shower curtain while the second boy was using it – allegedly staring at his body and then inducing the boy to carry out an act.

When Mr Gold appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week, his defence solicitor told Sheriff Shirley Foran that his client was pleading not guilty to all the charges.

He added that there had been a considerable procedural history to the case.

Mr Gold, of Gateside Road, will return to court to face the allegations later in the year.