- Up to 17 former custody officers may face charges of sex abuse and other crimes
- Medomsley Youth Detention Centre became the centre of a police investigation
- Evidence indicates that 14 children reported the abuse after they departed
- However it is believed that the complaints were not followed up
- As part of a different investigation, police are looking into a potential paedophile ring at the detention centre
Following an investigation at a closed
youth detention centre, as many as 17 former custody officers may be
charged with sexual abuse and other crimes.
Medomsley
Youth Detention Centre in County Durham became the centre of a police
investigation, with over 1,500 victims involved in the enquiry.
Operation
Seabrook, which has been looking into the alleged incidents, has
discovered evidence which indicates that abuse was reported by 14
children as soon as they departed Medomsley, reports the Sunday Times.
Medomsley Youth Detention Centre in County Durham became the centre of a
police investigation, with over 1,500 victims involved in the enquiry
However, it appears that these complaints were not followed up.
Medomsley, in Consett, closed in 1988.
As
part of a different investigation, police are looking into a potential
paedophile ring at the detention centre, which infamous Neville Husband
is believed to have been involved in.
After a 2003 investigation, warden Neville Husband was jailed for 12 years.
Det
Supt Paul Goundry, former head of safeguarding for Durham Constabulary
said in 2013: '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.
Former
detainee John McCabe (left) revealed last year was attacked by members
of a gang he said raped him 'every single day' at Medomsley. Neville
Husband (right) abused him
Another officer, Leslie Johnson, was imprisoned for six years following the same investigation.
County
Durham Police have charged seven former staff with a number of offences
including corruption, physical abuse and sexual abuse.
They
are Christopher Onslow, 71, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 70, Alan Bramley,
69, John McGee, 73, Kevin Blakely, 65, David McClure, 62, and Neil
Sowerby, 61. They are all former members of staff at Medomsley.
Former
detainee John McCabe revealed last year was attacked by members of a
gang he said raped him 'every single day' at Medomsley. He says he was
abused by Neville Husband.
Police
re-launched their investigation called Operation Seabrook four years ago
after complaints were ignored, amid claims many boys were
systematically abused by 'agents of the state' in the 1970s and 1980s.
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.'
Anyone
who believes they are a victim and has not already contacted the police
should call Durham Police on 101 or email:
operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk
