Seven men who worked at Medomsley detention centre near Consett are being prosecuted after inquiry involving almost 1,500 ex-inmates
Teenage inmates at the young offender institution typically spent six to eight weeks at the Home Office-run facility before being released. Photograph: Andrew Aitchison/Corbis via Getty Images
Seven former members of staff at a detention centre are being
prosecuted for alleged abuse and misconduct following one of the
country’s biggest investigations of its kind involving almost 1,500
ex-inmates.
The men, who worked at Medomsley detention centre near Consett, County Durham, have been summonsed to appear before Newton Aycliffe magistrates next month.
Durham police launched Operation Seabrook more than four years ago into alleged abuse at the centre, which closed in 1988.
A spokesman said the seven men, who are aged from 61 to 73, will appear on 19 December to answer charges of misconduct in a public office and alleged physical abuse offences. Some will also answer sexual abuse charges, the force said.
Durham police said more than 1,480 men have contacted the inquiry team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley, with some claims dating back to the 1960s.
The force said there could yet be further charges.
Those charged are Christopher Onslow, 71, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 70, Alan Bramley, 69, John McGee, 73, Kevin Blakely, 65, David McClure, 62, and Neil Sowerby, 61.
Teenage inmates at the young offender institution typically spent six to eight weeks at the Home Office-run facility before being released. These days such offending would be dealt with by community punishment.
DCS Adrian Green said: “Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in what has been, and continues to be, a long and complex investigation.
“Enquiries do not stop here – the Operation Seabrook team and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) remain committed in continuing to move the investigation forward. In February this year, we submitted 32 files to the CPS for charging decisions.
“A number of people are still under investigation so we do not rule out further charges in the future.”
The men, who worked at Medomsley detention centre near Consett, County Durham, have been summonsed to appear before Newton Aycliffe magistrates next month.
Durham police launched Operation Seabrook more than four years ago into alleged abuse at the centre, which closed in 1988.
A spokesman said the seven men, who are aged from 61 to 73, will appear on 19 December to answer charges of misconduct in a public office and alleged physical abuse offences. Some will also answer sexual abuse charges, the force said.
Durham police said more than 1,480 men have contacted the inquiry team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley, with some claims dating back to the 1960s.
The force said there could yet be further charges.
Those charged are Christopher Onslow, 71, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 70, Alan Bramley, 69, John McGee, 73, Kevin Blakely, 65, David McClure, 62, and Neil Sowerby, 61.
Teenage inmates at the young offender institution typically spent six to eight weeks at the Home Office-run facility before being released. These days such offending would be dealt with by community punishment.
DCS Adrian Green said: “Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in what has been, and continues to be, a long and complex investigation.
“Enquiries do not stop here – the Operation Seabrook team and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) remain committed in continuing to move the investigation forward. In February this year, we submitted 32 files to the CPS for charging decisions.
“A number of people are still under investigation so we do not rule out further charges in the future.”
