Care homes residents get £23,000

The homes involved were in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Kilmarnock

Compensation totalling £23,000 has been awarded to another 16 former residents of Nazareth House orphanages, BBC Scotland has learned.

The payouts follow compensation hearings involving people who were at the homes in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Kilmarnock.

They claimed they were abused, beaten or humiliated. Most are now in their 40s, 50s or 60s.

Earlier this year a similar group also received cash awards.

'Terribly damaged'

The latest payments - ranging between £1,000 and £2,600 - were made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Glasgow lawyer Cameron Fyfe - who represents about 400 people who were at the homes as children - said it meant a great deal to his clients that yet again a government authority believed they were telling the truth.

Mr Fyfe said: "I don't think my clients are really interested in the levels of compensation.

"These are people whose lives have been terribly damaged by their experiences as children, and this is a great boost for them because they feel they have now been officially vindicated.

"It means a great deal to them that a government authority such as the CICA accepts that they were abused and assaulted, and should be compensated."

The remainder of the cases will be heard at a later date.