Yet more victims of alleged abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre come forward

6:40am Thursday 19th December 2013 in  
North Durham News Exclusive By Gavin Engelbrecht

  Neville Husband

FIVE more people have come forward saying they were sexually or physically abused at a North-East detention centre – hours after an article in The Northern Echo revealed there were more than 120 alleged victims.

The Durham Constabulary investigation centred on Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett, County Durham, is developing into the largest inquiries of its kind.

Detectives launched Operation Seabrook in August, into claims that then teenage inmates were abused in the centre in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

A previous investigation led to the conviction in 2003 of Neville Husband, an officer at the centre.
He was sentenced to ten years in jail for systematically raping several teenagers and died of natural causes after his release at his home in nearby Snows Green, Shotley Bridge, in 2010.

The 72-year-old’s friend, storeman Leslie Johnson, was a jailed for six years for similar offences. He too has died.

Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, who is leading the inquiry said: “We have had five more people contact our officers this morning following the article in The Northern Echo.

“I have mixed emotions. On one hand I am delighted five more have come forward as a result of the publicity, but at the same time it is five more victims of abuse in Medomsley.”

About half of the allegations are of physical abuse.

NSPCC team manager Louise Exton, who worked on Operation Yewtree - the national investigation sparked by the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal – praised the approach of taken by Durham Police.

Ms Exton said: “I have been involved in Operation Seabrook for the last couple of weeks and have really been impressed by the focus there has been on the well-being of the victims throughout.

“The police are clear this is a victim-led inquiry and they are very keen to make sure they have all the appropriate support in place.”

She added: “The reason we have become involved is through our experience with Operation Yewtree.
“We wanted to be able contribute what we learned from that investigation to make sure we could offer any additional support that we could.

“The real benefit of our service is that is its 24-hour availability.”
Police say initial inquiries suggest the sexual abuse went wider than Husband and Johnson.

Anyone with information should contact detectives on 101 or any of the support services advertised on a dedicated page set up on www.durham.police.uk.

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Medomsley Detention Centre: More than 120 claim abuse

18 December 2013 Last updated at 19:33

 

 Medomsley closed as a detention centre in 1988

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More than 120 people have now come forward claiming they have been abused at a former County Durham detention centre in the 1970s and 1980s.

In 2003 a member of staff at Medomsley juvenile detention centre was jailed for abusing inmates, and another was jailed in 2005.

The investigation reopened in August after a former inmate came forward.
Durham Police has said officers plan to interview all the alleged victims by early next year.

The centre closed in 1988 after the abuse came to light, but has since reopened as a secure training unit.

Neville Husband, who worked at the detention centre as a prison officer, was jailed for 12 years in 2003, and Leslie Johnson, a store man, was sentenced to six years in 2005.
Both men have since died.

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More than 120 people come forward with claims of sex and physical abuse at Consett detention centre

6:40am Wednesday 18th December 2013 in News  

 Exclusive By Gavin Engelbrecht

Victim co-ordinator Marian Garland, The Meadowfield Sexual Assault Referral Centre manager
Bev Stoker and Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry

More than 120 victims have now come forward to say they were subjected to a catalogue of horrendous sexual and physical abuse at a North-East detention centre.

 Seasoned officers have been shocked by some of the new claims being made by the then teenage victims in what is developing into one of the largest inquiries of its kind - centred on Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett, County Durham.

The allegations from victims living throughout the country follow Durham Constabulary’s announcement in August that it was launching a fresh investigation into claims that inmates were abused during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

About 80 experienced officers along with a support network - including Rape Crisis, The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre and the NSPCC - have been drafted in to help deal with the unprecedented number of complaints.

Abuse at Medomsley first made national headlines when a previous investigation led to the conviction in 2003 of Neville Husband, an officer at the centre.

He was sentenced to ten years in jail for systematically raping several teenagers – some of whom came forward following his initial conviction.

After serving his sentence, the 72-year-old disgraced United Reformed Minister died of natural causes at his home in nearby Snows Green, Shotley Bridge, in 2010.

Related links

• Police promise bespoke service to victims of…

Husband’s friend, storeman Leslie Johnson, was jailed for six years for similar offences. He too has since died.

Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, who is leading the inquiry codenamed Operation Seabrook, said: “We were told by existing victims of earlier prosecutions that if we made a media appeal a lot more people would come forward.

"We did not expect the numbers that have contacted us. “About half of them are complaining of physical assault, but well over the kind you would expect from the short, sharp shock that was intended.

“Members of the investigation team, not just me, are shaken by some of the tales we have been told to date.”
He added: “We want every person who has been in Medomsley 60s, 70s and 80s to know about this police investigation and then make a conscious decision about whether or not to contact us, if they have been physically or sexually abused.

“We would particularly like to hear from anyone who may have been taken off the site.”
Det Supt Goundry: “Seasoned detectives have found it quite traumatic dealing with the experiences of these victims.

“They were effectively the most vulnerable kids in society, often placed miles away from home.”
Marian Garland, who has been appointed victim co-ordinator, said: “Initial inquiries would suggest that the sexual abuse went wider than Husband and Johnson.

“However, this needs to be confirmed by further careful investigation and analysis.

“There are allegations of physical assaults and sexual assaults. I think it was all about where you worked in Medomsley and where you were given your duties – and whether you were targeted for it.”

Det Supt Goundry said every victim would be seen by a Durham Constabularly detective regardless of where they have lived.

He said: “What we have to concentrate on is giving each victim a bespoke service and see that each victim gets a good outcome and that they don’t find themselves in a worse place in a years’ time than what they were before reporting it.”

He added all victims were expected to interviewed by February Det Supt Goundry said: “Identifying potential witnesses and suspects from nicknames descriptions will be a painstaking task.

“We have dedicated researchers and analysts who will produce a timeline, so we get a true understanding who was in the centre at what times.

“All that has to be done very carefully and slowly. And then we’ll move on to identifying potential perpetrators and suspects - if they are still alive.”

The centre was closed in 1988 and later reopened as the privately-run Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in 1999.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 or visit a dedicated page set up on www.durham.police.uk.

A timely Reminder

PRIME MINISTER’S QUESTION TIME 23 MAY 2012

From 31:38 to end of video

THEYWORKFORYOU.COM

SPEAKER:

“I do want to hear Mr McCann”

MICHAEL MCCANN (MP – Labour) :

“Mr Speaker, Prison Officer Neville Husband abused young men in the Medomsley Detention Centre for decades before he was prosecuted and sentenced for some of his crimes.

A Constituent who was abused by Husband has given me information which suggests that senior figures in the Establishment knew what was going on. 

The CPS refuses to pursue these matters and instead the Home Office has sought to issue compensation payments. 

Mr Speaker, young men were detained by the State and then they were abused by the State. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that a full enquiry is necessary to insure that justice is done and is seen to be done?”

DAVID CAMERON (Prime Minister - Conservative):

“Well I think the first thing that the honourable gentleman should do, and I’m sure he already has, is make sure that any evidence he has of abuse, or of cover-ups of abuse, or compliance with abuse, is given to the Crown Prosecution Service and given too the authorities so it can be properly investigated.

The Home Affairs Select Committee on which I sat actually looked into this issue in years gone past, made a number of recommendations, so I’ll look ‘carefully’ at what the honourable gentleman said and see if there’s more advice I can provide.”

ADAM RICKWOOD & THE MEDOMSLEY HEROES

This group of men 'The Medomsley Heroes', primarily from N.E. England, were all sexually abused by senior prison officer 'Neville Husband' back in the 70s. For more than seven years the survivors sought an apology and compensation from the Home Office for their horrific abuse whilst in the care of Medomsley Young Offenders Institution. All the victims interviewed felt they were pressurised into settling their claims out of court, but continue to push for a public enquiry. (Neville Husband served 8 years out of a 10-year sentence in prison for the offence, he was released in October 2009 and died August 2010).

Pie and Mash Films, based in S.E. London is an independent film company working with the victims. Acclaimed Film director Bill Maloney, who has himself come forward as a former victim of institutional abuse, was approached by the Medomsley Heroes to tell their stories of abuse at the hands of the 'Establishment'. They trusted Bill to allow them to tell the truth with freedom of speech and emotions and without the sanitation imposed by major broadcasters.

Adam Rickwood brings the story up to date.
During his investigations Bill Maloney also discovered that just five years ago the youngest child to die in custody, Adam Rickwood (14) allegedly committed suicide at the same detention centre - now under the name of Hassockfield STC. Bill built a bond with Carol Pounder, Adam's Mother, and with Adam's family and friends who do not believe he committed suicide. The connection of ligature techniques both on the Medomsley victims and on Adam Rickwood is disturbing.

Bill Maloney is now dedicating his filmmaking skills to fight against institutional child abuse. His whole family were brought up and abused in the British care system. In his documentary 'Adam Rickwood & The Medomsley Heroes' his intention is to allow the victims to speak for themselves in a working class manner that represents his own culture.

Bill's technique, to comprise a bigger picture into the smaller frame that the public is often shown, breathes life and thought provoking images into the documentary.

The gritty documentary's aim is to inform and raise public awareness as to the brutality and dangers dwelling within child care institutions and within the 'youth' prison service. The restraining techniques used by children's care officers are horrific and cause children as young as 14 to take their own lives.

This documentary instigated an investigation by Eric Allison at The Guardian Newspaper:

'OpperationSeabrook Makes A Stand.'

Durham Constabulary announced in August 2013 that they are to investigate offences committed against boys at the Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham during the 1970s and 1980s. Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry and Detective Sergeant Wayne Barrigan met with a Medomsley abuse survivor and David Greenwood of Switalskis solicitors on 16^th October 2013 to set out his intentions for the investigation after 82 victims of abuse had already contacted Durham police.

Mr Goundry set out his plan to have dedicated and specially trained detectives and support staff working closely with victims to not only take details of abusive experiences but to plan support. He is determined to ensure that his investigation uncovers as much information as possible about abuse at Medomsley.

Mr Goundry realises his main task is to convince former “trainees” at Medomsley to trust that the police will treat them with respect and will take their complaints seriously. He is committed to implementing best practice and to demonstrate that his investigation will set a new high standard for investigations into institutional abuse.

The plans of Durham police come at the same time as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer, announced new guidance for police forces when investigating abuse of children. Mr Starmer said “We are without doubt at a moment of fundamental change in the way we view these offences within the criminal justice system and in our society as a whole.” Police investigations are now to focus on the strengths of the victims evidence rather than perceived weaknesses.

David Greenwood commented: “I am certain that Durham police are serious about getting to the truth of what went wrong at Medomsley and Mr Goundry’s plans for the investigation are impressive. I would urge any former inmates of Medomsley to contact Durham Constabulary by ringing 101. Even the smallest piece of evidence could turn out to be important in bringing offenders to justice.”

---------------------------------------------------------------
David Greenwood
Solicitor
Child Abuse Department
david.greenwood@switalskis.com
http://www.switalskis.com 
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tel: 01709 890400

Almost 100 alleged victims of detention centre abuse come forward

By David Cowan 31 October 2013 16:23 GMT

Medomsley: The abuse took place at the detention centre in County Durham.STV

Almost 100 alleged victims of sexual abuse at a detention centre have come forward after a Scot persuaded police to reopened the case.

The inquiry into Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham was launched after John McCabe, a father-of-three from East Kilbride, told police he was raped by a prison officer 30 years ago.

His attacker, Neville Husband, was later jailed for sexually abusing other prisoners at Medomsley between 1974 and 1984. He was released in 2009 and died a year later from natural causes.

Mr McCabe has since told police Husband took him out of the centre and allowed him to be raped by another man, who has never been prosecuted.

Durham Constabulary launched a new investigation, their third into the centre, and appealed for other former inmates to come forward if they too suffered abuse. So far, 94 alleged victims have come forward to say they were also abused at the centre.

Mr McCabe told STV News: "I'm happy for them, that they've found the courage to break their silence and come forward. As long as their welfare is looked after, I'm happy about that.

"I believe in the investigation by Durham Constabulary. With 80 officers, it tells you that they're putting everything into the investigation. It's now the biggest investigation into sexual abuse within government institituions in Britain in history.

"I believe that we will get justice."


Neville Husband who abused John McCabe and other boys at the centre.

Medomsley closed in the late 1980s and has since reopened as a secure training centre for teenage boys and girls from England and Wales.

Earlier this year Mr McCabe waived his right to anonymity and told STV News about the abuse he suffered.
The 48-year-old says he was recruited by Husband to work in the kitchen. He was then taken to a changing room and attacked.

He said: "He came up behind me and put a knife at my throat. From that moment on he raped me, sexually abused me, sexually tortured me. It went on for about four or five months into my sentence."

Mr McCabe says the abuse took place in the centre, in Husband's home and at another location nearby.

Precise details of what took place are not being released to avoid compromising the police investigation.

He said: "At that location I was raped by another individual. And then the person just left, and walked away."


John McCabe spoke out about the abuse he suffered at the centre.

Former inmates of Medomsley say other prison officers knew what Neville Husband was doing but turned a blind eye. It has been claimed prisoners who complained to police at the time were ignored.

Mr McCabe said: "Every day has been an obstacle; every day has been a hurdle.

"But we're finally here. The Durham police are going to fully investigate every avenue. I've got full trust in them that they are going to investigate this properly and bring to account everyone who was responsible for what happened.

"I would call for every victim out there, from Medomsley, to come forward, and not to suffer in silence."

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More victims come forward in historic abuse investigation

Last updated Thu 31 Oct 2013

Police: "The victims have shown extreme bravery"

Detective Chief Inspector Brad Howe, 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.

 

A new investigation into alleged abuse by staff at Medomsley Detention Centre in the 1970s and 80s has uncovered some shocking testimony. Credit: ITV News Tyne Tees Police say 94 alleged victims of sexual abuse at a County Durham detention centre have now come forward. Officers believe there are many others still unreported.

A new investigation into alleged abuse by staff at Medomsley Detention Centre in the 1970s and 80s has uncovered some shocking testimony.
Senior prison officer Neville Husband and caretaker Leslie Johnson were convicted of sex offences in 2003. Both have since died.
Police are now investigating other members of an alleged paedophile ring within the 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.

Source