Action plan over abuse case

Mercer, Maben and Douglas were jailed for a total of 24 years

Councillors in the Borders are set to approve a plan of action drawn up following the serious sexual abuse of a young woman with learning difficulties.

It is hoped the plan, compiled by Scottish Borders Council social work department, will prevent a repetition of the case involving the woman known as Miss X.

Despite being known to social workers, Miss X was subjected by her carer, James Mercer, and two other men to torture and sexual abuse for several months.

Mercer, 35; Ross Douglas, 26, and Alexander Maben, 39, were jailed for a total of 24 years in 2002.

Recent whistle-blowing allegations have revealed that social workers on the ground alerted managers to problems in the case of Miss X - but that they failed to act.

The document containing the council's latest plan was drawn up by Colin Johnson, the director of lifelong care, and is based on the recommendations of three independent inquiries commissioned by the council.

Open to scrutiny

A council spokesman said the action plan would be put up for public scrutiny on 28 July before social work expert Peter Bates, chairman of NHS Tayside, delivers his verdict.

"The action plan is looking at what services are provided now and in the future for vulnerable adults," the spokesman said.

"It will draw on the recommendations of the three reports. Mr Bates will then offer a view as to whether the plan can achieve the objectives it sets out."

Clearly we failed Miss X in a number of respects and we accept that

Scottish Borders Council spokesman

He added: "Clearly we failed Miss X in a number of respects and we accept that.

"We accept the recommendations in the reports and the action plan is designed to ensure that, to the extent we can give a concrete guarantee, such cases don't happen again."

An independent report published last month criticised the council's social work department over the care of the victim.

It highlighted a catalogue of failure among staff linked to the case but stopped short of recommending any disciplinary action.

Earlier this month, a group of social workers presented a dossier to South of Scotland MSP Christine Grahame, outlining their concerns about the handling of the case.