Sunday 3 June 2018

Operation Seabrook - Medomsley Detention Centre Update!??

Operation Seabrook - Medomsley Detention Centre

 16/01/2018


​‘Operation Seabrook’ is the criminal investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse perpetrated by staff against detainees at Medomsley Detention Centre near Consett, County Durham.

It was launched in August 2013 and is investigating incidents which happened over many years, principally the 1970s and 1980s. 

The three main aims of the investigation are:
* to ensure support is provided for victims so they are in a better place after contacting the police    
* to gain the fullest understanding of how Medomsley operated during those years 
* to secure evidence so that any potential offenders are brought to justice.

Anyone needing to make contact with the team in writing can email  operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk

Latest news update - Seven men appear at crown court charged with abuse
SEVEN former prison officers have appeared in court following an investigation into allegations of abuse of young men at a former detention centre.

The men, who are all former staff members at Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett, appeared at Teesside Crown Court today (Tuesday, January 16).

Christopher Onslow, 71, John McGee, 73, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 70, and Neil Sowerby, 61, face charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences.

David McClure, 62, Alan Bramley, 69, and Kevin Blakey, 65, face charges of misconduct in public office and physical abuse only.

No pleas were entered and a provisional trial date was set for September 3. The trial is expected to last between 12 to 14 weeks.

All defendants were released on bail.

The court heard there will be around 15,000 pages of material linked to the case, along with 235 witnesses. Of these, 70 are likely to be complainants.

The investigation – named Operation Seabrook – was launched in August 2013 and is one of the largest of its kind in the UK.

So far, more than 1,500 men have contacted the Operation Seabrook team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley from the 1960s to when the centre closed in 1988.

Anyone who believes they are a victim and has not already contacted the police should call Durham Constabulary on 101 or email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk
 
Important - If you are a victim and your contact details have changed, for example, you have moved house or have a new phone number then please email the Seabrook team or call them via 101 so they can update their records.


Durham Constabulary continues to work with various organisations to provide the best possible support for victims. Access to support is available without the need to contact the police for those who feel unable to do so.

Independent Psychotherapist Zoe Lodrick



 

The following organisations can be contacted independently of the police for support .


NSPCC FREEPHONE HELPLINE (24 hrs):
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children                                                                                    0808 800 5000
The helpline is available for anyone who has concerns about a child or anyone including adults who wish to discuss their own experience of abuse as a child or young person.
Contact can also be made via e mail : help@nspcc.org.uk  or by text 88858
Contact can be made anonymously if the caller so wishes.
 
NAPAC
Freephone from all landlines and mobile networks 0808 801 0331.
Calls do not show on your bill; lines are open 10am to 9pm Monday - Thursday, and 10am to 6pm on Friday. NAPAC is unable to take messages or ring back. 
 
The Meadows:
0191 372 9202
T
he Meadows will accept calls between the hours of 9am-3.30 pm Monday to Friday and can arrange one-to-one counselling sessions and can make referrals to similar centres throughout the UK.
 
Counselling does not involve discussing what has happened in relation to the assault, it aims to help you work through your feelings to aid the healing process.
Staff at the Meadows will not contact the police without your consent unless there are current concerns in respect of a child or vulnerable adult.  
 

Dates have now been scheduled for seven former officers at Medomsley Detention Centre to face trial for physically and sexually assaulting inmates during the 1970s and 1980s.

The Teesside Crown Court made an order that there will be three separate trials involving these men.

The first trial will begin on 3 September 2018 and will involve charges against

Mr Christopher Onslow.

He is charged with two counts of buggery without consent, two counts of wounding, two counts of wounding with intent, three counts of assault and one of indecent assault.

This trial is scheduled to last for 6 weeks.

The second trial will begin on 5 November 2018 and will relate to

Mr Johnson Brian Greenwell, charged with buggery without consent, false imprisonment and two counts of assault;

Mr John McGee, charged with four counts of assault, two counts of indecent assault, buggery without consent and wounding:

Mr Neil Sowerby, charged with three counts of buggery without consent, two counts of assault and four counts of indecent assault.

This trial is scheduled to last for 5 weeks.

The third trial will centre on the prosecution of

Mr Kevin Blakey, charged with two counts of wounding and two of assault;

Mr Alan Bramley, charged with wounding and two counts of assault; and

Mr David McClure, charged with wounding and four counts of assault.

This trial is due to begin on 28 November 2018 and is scheduled to last for 5 weeks.

All seven men also face charges of misconduct in public office.

Durham Police are still fielding a number of enquiries relating to physical and sexual assaults which took place at Medomsley. If you have been subjected to such assaults, call 101 and ask to speak to the Operation Seabrook team at Durham Police.

Jordans act for a significant number of clients who suffered sexual and physical abuse at the hands of former officers at Medomsley. If you have been affected by this and would like to speak in confidence to one of our expert abuse lawyers, please call us on 0800 9555 094.

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