Medomsley abuse probe could see 32 face charges

Hundreds of former inmates have come forward to report abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre 

More than 30 people could face prosecution as part of an investigation into sexual and physical abuse at a County Durham detention centre.

Almost 1,400 men have claimed they were abused at Medomsley, near Consett, during the 1970s and 80s.

Durham Police said it has put forward 32 cases to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will offer advice on whether the suspects should be charged.

It added it hoped to have decisions on each one "sometime in the summer".

Detectives launched the investigation, called Operation Seabrook, in August 2013 and have interviewed former members of staff.

It followed previous probes in 2003 and 2005 which resulted in the jailing of former Medomsley wardens Neville Husband and Leslie Johnson.

Both have since died.

Neville Husband was jailed in 2003. He died in 2010 following his release from prison  

Officers said of the 1,396 men who contacted Operation Seabrook to report abuse, approximately two-thirds said they were assaulted by either Husband or Johnson.

In a statement, police said 32 suspects have been identified and all had been spoken to, the majority voluntarily.

Det Supt Steve Chapman said: "We now have a significant understanding of how Medomsley Detention Centre operated and we have ensured victims have been fully updated on the investigation so far."

He said the investigation team are constantly reviewing all new material and so the number of cases forwarded to the CPS could increase.

The former detainees were all teenagers when they were sent to the centre - often for relatively minor offences.

The facility closed in 1988.

Source

Files submitted on 32 suspects in young offenders' centre 'abuse' inquiry

Police have identified 32 suspects

2 February 2017 11:15AM

Detectives investigating hundreds of allegations of sexual and physical abuse at a young offenders' centre have identified 32 suspects who may be charged.

Since August 2013, Durham Police have run Operation Seabrook into claims from 1,396 ex-inmates of Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett.

The force has put forward cases to the Crown Prosecution Service which will offer charging advice in the coming months.

The inmates were in their teens when they were sent to the centre for what were often minor offences which typically now would be dealt with in the community.

The alleged offences date from the 1960s to when Medomsley closed in 1988.

Inmates typically spent six to eight weeks at the Home Office-run facility before being released.

Previous police investigations in 2003 and 2005 led to the conviction and jailing of Neville Husband and Leslie Johnson, former members of staff who have since died.

Operation Seabrook has looked at more allegations involving these two and other members of staff.

Durham Police said of the men claiming sexual abuse, approximately two thirds said they were assaulted by either Husband or Johnson.

Detectives identified other staff they wanted to speak to and while some had died, they managed to interview others.

The force has now identified 32 suspects.

All have now been spoken to, the majority as voluntary attenders at local police stations.

The officer leading Operation Seabrook, Temporary Detective Superintendent Steve Chapman said: "We now have a significant understanding of how Medomsley Detention Centre operated during that time and we have ensured victims have been fully updated on the investigation so far.

"Counselling and professional support has also been available to anyone who needed help, and I am really pleased that so many people have taken us up on this offer.

“While 32 advice files have now been submitted to the CPS, the investigation team constantly reviews all new material which enters the incident room, and this number may increase.
"We hope to have specific charging decisions sometime in the summer.

“I am really pleased with the progress of this investigation so far and the dedication of both the investigators and the Crown Prosecution Service in working together to ensure all available evidence is considered in the lead up to decisions being made.”  

Source

Medomsley Secure Training Centre Ministry of Justice written question – answered on 23rd January 2017

Kevan Jones Labour, North Durham 

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what date officials from her Department plan to contact or meet the steering group of solicitors dealing with cases arising from Operation Seabrook.

• Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 23 January 2017, cW)

Sam Gyimah The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice

The Government Legal Department (GLD) is acting for the Ministry of Justice in relation to these cases. GLD is planning to meet the steering group committee next month, although the precise date for this meeting has yet to be finalised.

  Source

Operation Seabrook - Medomsley Detention Centre

 Operation Seabrook - Medomsley Detention Centre

16/01/2017

​‘Operation Seabrook’ is the criminal investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse perpetrated by staff against detainees at Medomsley Detention Centre near Consett, County Durham.

It was launched in August 2013 and is investigating incidents which happened over many years, principally the 1970's and 1980's. 

The three main aims of the investigation are:
* to ensure support is provided for victims so they are in a better place after contacting the police    
* to gain the fullest understanding of how Medomsley operated during those years 
* to secure evidence so that any potential offenders are brought to justice.

Anyone needing to make contact with the team in writing can email  operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk

The 'Seabrook' team has now heard from more than 1,350 former inmates at Medomsley who have reported they were abused while detained at the centre.

All of the surviving main suspects - 31 in total - have been identified, interviewed and prosecution files submitted to the CPS for advice.  This advice will then identify those individuals who are likely to be charged and also which victims or witnesses are likely to give evidence.

Update on the current state of the investigation; January 2017

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chapman is now in place as the senior investigating officer (SIO) following the retirement last year of Det Supt Paul Goundry.

He said; "I am pleased to report that the investigation remains focused with regular consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).  This contact and the commitment of all the officers and staff involved ensures the investigation continues to keep victims/survivors at the centre of this complex enquiry, with every effort being made to bring the perpetrators of abuse to justice.

"We are now in a position where charging advice will be requested in the near future and this will be a significant milestone for the investigation.  Resourcing for the enquiry has not diminished and is constantly reviewed."




Detective Sergeant Claire Errington remains as the supervisor for the dedicated Seabrook team.  Within this team we have victim co-ordinators who are at hand to help and assist with any issues or concerns people may have.

Important - If you are a victim and your contact details have changed, for example, you have moved house or have a new phone number then please email the Seabrook team or call them via 101 so they can update their records.



Durham Constabulary continues to work with various organisations to provide the best possible support for victims. Access to support is available without the need to contact the police for those who feel unable to do so.

Independent Psychotherapist Zoe Lodrick

The following organisations can be contacted independently of the police for support .

NSPCC FREEPHONE HELPLINE (24 hrs):
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children                                                                                    0808 800 5000
The helpline is available for anyone who has concerns about a child or anyone including adults who wish to discuss their own experience of abuse as a child or young person.
Contact can also be made via e mail : help@nspcc.org.uk  or by text 88858
Contact can be made anonymously if the caller so wishes.

NAPAC
National Association for People Abused in ChildhoodFreephone from all landlines and mobile networks 0808 801 0331.
Calls do not show on your bill; lines are open 10am to 9pm Monday - Thursday, and 10am to 6pm on Friday. NAPAC is unable to take messages or ring back. 

The Meadows:
The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darlington and Co Durham) 0191 301 8554
The Meadows will accept calls between the hours of 9am-3.30 pm Monday to Friday and can arrange one-to-one counselling sessions and can make referrals to similar centres throughout the UK.

Counselling does not involve discussing what has happened in relation to the assault, it aims to help you work through your feelings to aid the healing process.
Staff at the Meadows will not contact the police without your consent unless there are current concerns in respect of a child or vulnerable adult.

Source

Medomsley abuse probe: 1,400 people have now come forward

Posted at 8:11 21 Dec

Almost 1,400 people have now come forward to say they were abused at Medomsley detention centre in County Durham.

Operation Seabrook is the Durham Police investigation into abuse allegations at the facility.
It was triggered after former prison officer Neville Husband was jailed for eight years in 2003 for abusing five youths.

It's been running for two-and-a-half years now and is the biggest of its kind. Officers have spoken to around 20 suspects.

Source

Investigation into alleged abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre 'almost complete'

ITV Report
21 December 2016 at 2:27pm

Ron Hogg, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Photo:

An investigation into allegations of abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham is almost complete.

1,361 alleged victims have contacted police to report abuse they suffered at the centre from the 1960s to the1980s.

The victims were all in their teens when they were sent to Medomsley, often for minor offences, until the centre closed in 1988.

Thirty-one potential abusers have been identified and the Crown Prosecution Service is looking into which cases are strong enough to prosecute in court.

The investigation into alleged abuse called 'Operation Seabrook' was launched by Durham Police in August 2013. It is now the biggest investigation of its kind in the country.

It is even bigger than Operation Yewtree, the investigation into sexual abuse allegations, predominantly against television personality Jimmy Savile.

Previous police investigations into the abuse at Medomsley in 2003 and 2005 led to the conviction and jailing of Neville Husband and Leslie Johnson, former members of staff at the centre who have since died.

Absolutely, yes, we've come to the end almost, we may be picking up the odd one or two as we go forward but the substantial number of victims have now reported in and we're satisfied with that and we're progressing the case on that basis.'

'Many have been interviewed and we have a file in with the CPS to decide who out of anyone may or may not be prosecuted."

– Ron Hogg, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner

Source 

Officer leading Medomsley detention centre abuse investigation steps down

Det Supt Paul Goundry has assured victims that the three year investigation will not be impacted by his retirement

16:47, 8 NOV 2016

The officer leading Operation Seabrook, Det Supt Paul Goundry


The senior officer leading the investigation into sex abuse at the infamous Medomsley detention centre in County Durham has stepped down.

Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry has headed up Operation Seabrook since it was established in August 2013. He has now retired to take up another role outside of the police force.

In a recent letter sent to victims he moved to assure them that the three year investigation will not be impacted by his retirement.

He said: “I have been invited to take on a newly created role outside of the police service, working as the project lead on an initiative which will serve the needs of sexual assault victims of all ages across County Durham and Darlington.

“In this position I will be working with all the relevant statutory agencies, looking at how we support victims of sexual abuse and whether the services which currently exist can be improved and co-ordinated more effectively.

“In order to take up this position, I have had to retire as a police officer which in turn means I had to give up my position as the senior investigating officer for Operation Seabrook.

“Please let me assure you, this will make no practical difference whatsoever to our ongoing investigation.”

The investigation into assaults on inmates at Medomsley Detention Centre is now the biggest child abuse inquiry in the UK. Operation Seabrook detectives in their office at Chester-Le-Street Police station.

Det Chief Insp Steve Chapman is set to take over the leadership role with Det Chief Insp Mick Callan remaining in post as deputy senior investigating officer.

In his letter Det Supt Goundry went on to say: “As you know, Mick has been involved in Seabrook from the outset therefore the investigation could not be in safer hands.”

The operation is one of the largest abuse investigations in UK criminal history and is attempting to establish what happened at Medomsley detention centre near Consett from the 1960s to 1988 when it closed.

More than 1,240 former inmates at Medomsley detention centre have now come forward to report being physically or sexually abused while being held at the facility.

The scale and complexity of the investigation meant the force bought in a team of experienced retired detectives.

The former detainees were all in their teens when they were sent to Medomsley for what were often relatively minor offences.

They typically spent six to eight weeks at the Home Office-run centre before being released.

Source