Detention centre paedophile ring inquiry: Second rape victim speaks of systematic torture in borstal
15 Aug 2013 00:00
He said his humiliation included being bound by the neck and being photographed as he was routinely attacked
Complaint: Kevin Young spoke of horrors Complaint: Kevin Young spoke of horrors
Paul Kingston / North News
A
second victim of a suspected borstal paedophile ring accused his
attackers of torture yesterday.
And Kevin Young, now 53, says he reported the sex attacks but was
ignored.
Kevin said: “The treatment we received was nothing short of torture in
its truest form.
"A uniformed person while in charge of others carrying out acts of
degrading physical and mental torture.”
Kevin said his humiliation included being bound by the neck and being
photographed as he was routinely attacked.
The Mirror yesterday revealed how his and other claims of violent
paedophile prison officers raping young boys at the Medomsley Detention
Centre are under investigation after an alleged cover-up.
After pushing for an inquiry for 20 years, Kevin welcomed the police’s
new probe but was wary because his complaints were rejected.
He was sent to the County Durham detention centre in 1977 aged 17 after
being caught with a stolen watch.
He said: “The judge said he was sending me to Medomsley where my
character would be improved.
"I would come out a better, stronger, law-abiding citizen. Within days
of arriving I was being seriously raped and assaulted.
“I was put into a sick bay where I was locked up and my neck ligatured.
It was three months of absolute hell.”
“This was torture day in day out. The victims are being silenced. People
have been left so shredded there is nothing left.
“They are just shadows, nothing more.”
Police fear hundreds of young men were assaulted at the centre in the
70s and 80s.
At least four other prison officers were involved, along with
individuals outside the centre, they suspect.
Kevin said he suffered at the hands of seven abusers, including prison
officer Neville Husband who was jailed for 12 years for the mass rape of
boys in his care.
Originally
from South Shields but now living in York, Kevin was released in June
1977, the day before his 18th birthday.
He ran straight from the home to Consett Police Station station but says
he was threatened with arrest for making his allegations of being
strangled, bound and raped every day by a ring of officers.
A police officer is believed to have covered-up the complaint after
Kevin’s paperwork was destroyed.
Waiving his right to anonymity yesterday, Kevin said: “I didn’t want to
be referred to as Mr A or Mr B. I’m Kevin Young.
"This is what went on and it was covered up.”
East Kilbride MP Michael McCann has pushed for the case to be re-opened
after his constituent John McCabe, who said he was raped by Husband,
told him how his bid for justice hit a dead end.
Mr McCann said: “We both know young men attempted to report abuse 30
years ago but were let down by the authorities.
“That will not happen this time.”
John
McCabe Brave: John McCabe suffered horrific abuse
Stuart Nicol
Only Husband and storeman Lesley Johnson were jailed for abuse. Both men
are now dead.
The authorities believe many more attackers remain at large.
Around 26 victims are thought to have come forward.
Some have already been awarded damages without an apology by the
Ministry of Justice.
Mr McCabe said: “I urge others to come forward and help police build a
case. Please don’t suffer in silence.”
Det Supt Paul Goundry, in charge of Durham Police child protection,
said: “Every avenue will be explored and we’ll do our utmost to bring
perpetrators to justice.
"If there were officers who ignored evidence at Medomsley then they will
be traced and investigated too.
“You’ll be dealt with sensitively by a trained professional.”
Anyone with information should contact Durham Police about the investigation on 101.
Detectives have launched a new investigation into a former youth
detention centre in County Durham amid allegations that hundreds of
young inmates may have been systematically abused there in the 1970s and
80s.
Appeal for information relating to historic abuse case
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundy, Durham Police.
Investigation into former youth detention centre
Detectives have launched a new investigation into a former youth
detention centre in County Durham amid allegations that hundreds of
young inmates may have been systematically abused there in the 1970s and
80s.
Two men have already been convicted of abusing teenagers at the Medomsley Detention Centre, which has now been demolished.
Former prison officer Neville Husband was jailed in 2003 for abusing
boys in his care. A store man at the borstal was also jailed.
But police suspect other people may have been involved and that there
might be many more victims. They are appealing for anyone with new
information to come forward.
Police
have reopened a 10-year-old investigation into sexual abuse at a former
County Durham detention centre, which saw two staff jailed.
Church minister Neville Husband, who worked at Medomsley
juvenile detention centre as a prison officer and store man Leslie
Johnson were jailed in 2003.
The pair, both now dead, were convicted of sexually abusing inmates.
Durham Police has now reopened the investigation after a former inmate claimed he was also abused.
John McCabe, from East Kilbride in Scotland, who has waived
his right to anonymity, said he was also a victim of Husband at the
now-closed institution.
Mr McCabe said the abuse took place 30 years ago when Husband
recruited him to work in the kitchen, and that he also took him out of
Medomsley, where he was raped by another man. 'Vulnerable young people'
Durham detectives are now reinvestigating the claims and have appealed for any other abuse victims to come forward.
Det Supt Paul Goundry said: "The investigation will put
victims at the heart of the inquiry, but at the same time we would like
to hear from anyone who has new information about Medomsley and any
abuse that occurred either inside, or when inmates were taken off-site.
"Those who carried out the abuse preyed on some very
vulnerable young people and left many of them with mental scars which
have lasted a lifetime.
Neville Husband was jailed for abusing male inmates in 2003
"While we contacted and took statements from a number of
victims as part of this investigation, we believe there are others who
for whatever reason have never come forward.
"It is those people we are now asking to contact us and pass
on any information about what took place during their time at Medomsley,
whether it happened at the centre or elsewhere."
Medomsley closed in the late 1980s after the abuse came to light and has since reopened as a secure training centre.
During his 2003 trial, Newcastle Crown Court heard Husband,
who became a minister in the United Reformed Church after 27 years in
the prison service, had used his position of authority to systematically
abuse his victims between 1974 and 1984.
The male inmates, who were aged between 16 and 19 at the
time, had been picked by Husband to work in the kitchens, where he would
sometimes "blatantly" indecently assault them or take them away for
abuse in secret.
He was jailed for 12 years. Johnson was sentenced to six years at a separate trial.
Source BBC News
Brave: Victim of abuse John McCabe has
successfully campaigned for a new police investigation into sex crimes
at a Durham borstal
A borstal boy who was among hundreds
abused by a paedophile ring in prison while police allegedly turned a
blind eye has won a campaign to have the case re-opened. John
McCabe was sexually assaulted at 17 at the Medomsley Detention Centre,
County Durham, by members of a gang he said raped him 'every single
day'. Police have
re-launched their investigation after complaints were ignored, amid
claims many boys were systematically abused by 'agents of the state' in
the 1970s and 1980s. Two
prison officers were jailed after a 2003 investigation, Lesley Johnson
for six years and warden Neville Husband for 12 years. It was Husband
who abused Mr McCabe. But
at least four other staff were said to be involved and in one case a
victim allegedly spoke to police about being abused in the 1970s and was
told to 'f*** off' or he’d be sent back to prison. Mr
McCabe, who suffered six months of attacks and has waived his right to
anonymity to tell his story, told the Daily Mirror: 'I was asked to work
in the kitchens. That’s where I met him (Husband). He told me if I
didn’t do what he wanted he’d kill me and nobody would care. ‘I thought I was the only boy he abused. Now I know there were more. A lot more. And it wasn’t just him. 'I’m fighting for justice for those boys, for myself. Too many people have got away with this for far too long.' John
went to the police in 2009 after Husband was released, but the Crown
Prosecution Service took no action, leaving him 'devastated'.
Shame: Boys were abused at the Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett, County Durham, in the 1970s and 1980s
His local MP, Michael McCann,
Labour's representative in East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, has
helped his constituent with the campaign. He told MailOnline: 'John and I have carried this on and want to help in any way we can. 'If anyone has any information about abuse inside the detention centre or outside we would like them to tell the police.
'We know there were two convicted but we know there were others who carried out abuse and were never brought to justice. 'John has been incredibly brave in talking about what happened to him and I hope that it will inspire bravery in others. 'There
were people who were abused by agents of the state and when they tried
to get help it was refused. I don't believe that will happen now'.
Paedophile: Prison guard Neville Husband (left)
was jailed for 8 years for his abuse, but Michael McCann MP (right) is
helping with the new campaign for justice as he says more men were
involved
Police are appealing for any victims to come forward. Det
Supt Paul Goundry, head of safeguarding for Durham Constabulary said:
'Neville Husband preyed on some of the most vulnerable children and
young people in our society and left many of them with mental scars
which have lasted a lifetime. 'While
we contacted and took statements from a number of victims as part of
this investigation, we believe there are others who for whatever reason
have never come forward. It is those people we are now asking to contact
us and pass on any information about what took place during their time
at Medomsley, whether it happened at the centre or off-site. I can assure them we have experienced officers on hand to talk to them and they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity. 'What
happened at Medomsley was organised abuse on a large scale and we are
committed to ensuring every victim feels they have had the opportunity
to speak. Throughout our enquiries we will be in constant touch with the
CPS who will ultimately advise on whether there are grounds to bring
criminal charges. 'John has
shown great bravery in giving up his right to anonymity and talking
about the abuse he suffered. I hope that by doing so he will encourage
others to come forward and pass on any information they have.' Anyone with information should dial 101 and ask for Durham Constabulary.
Senior officers have launched a major inquiry into the horrific sex abuse after complaints were ignored or dropped
Victim: John McCabe sufferd horrific abuse
Stuart Nicol
Claims a ring of violent paedophile prison officers routinely raped
hundreds of teenage boys in a borstal are finally being investigated –
after an alleged police cover-up.
Senior officers have launched a
major inquiry into the horrific sex abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre,
County Durham, after complaints were ignored by police or dropped by
the Crown Prosecution Service.
One brave victim, who has waived his right to anonymity, said: “I was raped every single day.”
John McCabe was abused, aged 17, for six months by prison officer Neville Husband.
He said: “I was asked to work in the kitchens. That’s where I met him.
"He told me if I didn’t do what he wanted he’d kill me and nobody would care.
“I thought I was the only boy he abused. Now I know there were more. A lot more. And it wasn’t just him.”
John, of East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, added: “I’m fighting for justice for those boys, for myself.
"Too many people have got away with this for far too long.”
Police fear hundreds of young men were assaulted while serving sentences at Medomsley in the 70s and 80s.
Husband was jailed for 12 years at Newcastle crown court for mass rape of boys in his care.
Storeman Lesley Johnson was jailed for six years. Both men are now dead.
Victims
say the 2003 probe into Husband did not go far enough and that he was
part of a ring of officers involved in systematic abuse.
At least four other prison officers were involved, along with individuals outside the centre, police suspect.
And
a police officer is believed to have covered up allegations after one
victim walked into Consett Police Station in 1977 to make a statement
about abuse.
His claims were ignored and the paperwork for his statement has been destroyed.
The missed chance meant the ring could continue to abuse inmates for years. Monster: Prison officer Neville Husband
North News & Pictures
John contacted Durham Police in 2009 – after his attacker was released from jail – to say he was also a victim.
But
after a police investigation the Crown Prosecution Service took no
further action against Husband, saying it was not in the public
interest.
John said: “I was devastated.”
But after he contacted his MP police have now opened up the probe.
Det
Supt Paul Goundry, in charge of Durham Police child protection, said:
“Every avenue will be explored and we’ll do our utmost to bring
perpetrators to justice.
"If there were officers who ignored
evidence about a paedophile ring at Medomsley then they will be traced
and investigated too.”
Some alleged victims have told police they were taken off-site on the pretence of extra curricular activities.
They claim they were dragged into a private room where they were blindfolded and raped by their captors.
And it is alleged that at times there were up to five men present.
Police
are now hunting what they believe was a large group of sexual predators
who preyed on the vulnerable young men at the prison for nearly 15
years. And John is giving his full backing to police.
He said:
“After meeting the authorities I’m completely confident they will carry
out a full investigation into what happened at Medomsley because they
are now convinced Husband and Johnson were not acting alone.
"They
are now taking seriously the claims that rapes and other abuse took
place in a number of locations, which until now had not been identified.
“I
would urge any former victims to come forward and help police build a
case against those evil savages who did this. Please don’t suffer in
silence.”
John explained how, if it was not for his MP in Scotland, the case may never have been examined.
He
said: “I was really down and my last hope for justice was to approach
my local MP, Michael McCann, who’d been a classmate back in East
Kilbride.
“Thankfully Michael gave me his full support and with
his help I went to the police again. After he campaigned, the case was
re-opened.” Scene: Medomsley Detention Centre
North News / NNP
Michael, a senior Labour MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and
Lesmahagow, said: “John and I want to support the Durham Police
investigation and call upon anyone who has knowledge of the abuse that
took place either inside or outside Medomsley Detention Centre to come
forward and tell their story.
“We both know young men attempted to report abuse 30 years ago but were let down by the authorities.
“That
will not happen this time and I hope that John McCabe’s bravery in
revealing his story will encourage others to come forward.
"Young
men like John were detained by the State and then they were abused by
agents of the State and others inside and outside Medomsley.
“Only Neville Husband and Lesley Johnson were convicted. The others, and there were others, are still at liberty.
“They must be caught, prosecuted and send to jail for their heinous crimes.”
There are thought to be around 26 victims who have come forward.
Some have been awarded damages by the Ministry of Justice after a civil trial and a case is being pursued in John’s name.
When
the Medomsley victims sought compensation after Husband’s conviction,
the Home Office used the statute of limitations to avoid payment.
Eventually in 2009 it paid out £512,000 to 12 men, but there are still cases which are waiting to be settled.
But the victims of Medomsley have never received an apology.
When
Stephen Byers, then MP for some of the victims, wrote to then Justice
Minister, Jack Straw, in 2010, Mr Straw replied: “The terms of the
agreement did not include an apology.”
Det Supt Goundry appealed for more victims to speak out.
He said: “What we need now is people to come forward. Anyone who knows anything about what went on at Medomsley.
“You’ll be dealt with sensitively by a trained professional.”
“We believe other victims, for whatever reason, have never come forward.
"It
is those people we are now asking to contact us and pass on any
information about what took place during their time at Medomsley, at the
centre or off-site.
“John has shown great bravery in giving up his right to anonymity and talking about the abuse he suffered.
“I hope he will encourage others to come forward.”
Anyone with information should contact Durham Constabulary on 101.
Evil officer’s threat to kill if I said, ‘No’
Borstal
rape victim John McCabe ended up in Medomsley Detention Centre in 1983
after snatching two rings from a pawn shop in Scarborough.
It was
during his nine-month sentence he met prison officer Neville Husband who
chose John to work with him in the kitchens. Now married with three
children, health and safety officer John said: “A few days in, he rubbed
himself up against me and I pulled away.”
The next day, Husband
cornered the 17-year-old boy and held a knife to his throat. John added:
“He said if I refused him again, it would be easy to take me out of the
centre and kill me, or for me to be found hanged in my cell.”
The first rape happened a few days later.
“He
got me alone in the kitchen and grabbed me by the throat,” said John.
“I was passing out and he groped me. He was just too big and too strong
to fight off.”
The abuse continued both in jail and off the
premises – sometimes with another man present. A man who has never been
brought to justice.
John was so depressed he stopped writing to
his mum who became worried and called the prison. But evil Husband made
John phone and reassure her.
Six months into his sentence, a change in the law meant time served on remand was taken into account and John was released.
He said: “I was terrified – convinced Husband would stop me getting out. A guard said he was taking me to the train station.
“I
broke a glass to use as a weapon if he turned up. I paced up and down
carriages all the way to Glasgow, expecting to find him.”
John
tried to block the abuse from his mind – until one day in 2009 when he
saw a news report that Husband had been released from prison.
That is when he went to police to report the rapes.
