SEVEN
men 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 Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today
(Tuesday, December 19).
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 Blakely, 65, face charges of
misconduct in a public office and physical abuse only.
Their addresses cannot be reported for legal reasons.
No
pleas were entered and all seven men were released on unconditional
bail to attend Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, January 16.
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
