BySophie Doughty
16:00, 12 MAR 2019
THE MEDOMSLEY DETENTION CENTRE ABUSE SCANDAL EXPLAINED
Sick former detention centre staff who abused troubled teen inmates may still be walking free.
That's the view of the top cop leading the probe into historic abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre, in County Durham, which has now become the biggest investigation of its kind.
A staggering 1,676 men have come forward to make allegations that they were physically or sexually assaulted while being held at the correctional facility, near Consett.
Today we can finally reveal some of the true horrors that went on behind the high fences at Medomsley after five former employees were convicted of offences including misconduct in a public office, grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm, for crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s.
Now the detective leading the probe, named Operation Seabrook, has told how he believes there are offenders out there that have so far escaped justice - and charges may be brought.
The full story of the Medomsley Detention Centre scandal as vile abusers are finally unmasked
Det Chief Supt Adrian Green, of Durham Constabulary, said: "I know there are people who have had allegations made against them who had the evidence been available as part of our investigation we would have sought charges against them.
"There are definitely other offenders who have been identified by victims who if the evidence was available certainly have questions to answer. The investigation still continues."
Built in 1960 on the site of a Victorian orphanage, near Consett , Medomsley Detention Centre was designed to house offenders aged 17 to 21
The aim was to keep them out of prison and away from the influence of older criminals.
The centre, run by the Home Office, could hold more than 130 inmates, but typically housed around 70 offenders at a time, mainly from the north of England. Many were first-time offenders and had been detained for relatively minor crimes
Most inmates spent six to eight weeks at Medomsley before being released.
Durham Constabulary launched Operation Seabrook in August 2013 after a victim came forward to report being abused at the centre.
Paedophile Neville Husband, who died at the age of 72 in 2010, had previously been jailed for 10 years for sexually abusing boys while working at the facility.
Medomsley Detention Centre scandal: Five officers convicted of physical abuse against teenage boys
But following publicity around the launch of Seabrook hundreds of men began to come forward making allegations that they were physically or sexually abused by different staff members at Medomsley.
The abuse is alleged to have taken place between the 1960s and when the centre closed in 1988, but mainly in the 1970s and 1980s.
Medomsley Detention Centre is said to have adopted the Government of the time's 'short, sharp, shock' approach to youth rehabilitation.
Margaret Thatcher's ministers claimed army-style discipline would deter youngsters from continuing a life of crime.
However, while Det Chief Supt Green does not believe that there was a "regime" of abuse at Medomsley, he says this Government policy may have provided a useful cover for defenders to hide behind.
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But he also believes anyone who actively covered up what was going on at Medomsley should also be brought to book.
He added: "The sheer scale of it makes it difficult for me to understand how others couldn't have known, and if they didn't know they should have known.
"If I got any evidence to suggest cases of cover-ups I would be looking to prosecute."
Christopher Onslow, 72, has been convicted of two counts of misconduct in a public office, three of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and one of wounding.
John McGee, 74, was found guilty of misconduct in a public office and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while his colleague Brian Greenwell, 71, was convicted of misconduct in a public office.
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Onslow, McGee and Greenwell were found not guilty of sexual offences against the young offenders.
Kevin Blakely, 67, was convicted of misconduct in a public office by assaulting and abusing detainees, but cleared of causing actual bodily harm and unlawful wounding
Kevin Blakely, Alan Bramley, Brian Greenwell, John McGee and Christopher Onslow
Alan Bramley, 70, was convicted of misconduct in a public office by assaulting and abusing prisoners, but cleared of causing actual bodily harm and unlawful wounding.
David McClure, 63, and Neil Sowerby, 62, were cleared of all offences, including misconduct in a public office, buggery and indecent assault.
The five men are due to be sentenced at a later date.
Medomsley Detention Centre scandal: Five officers convicted of physical abuse against teenage boys
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