Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of David McClure, Prison Officer Medomsley DC 1978
"Tim Newell thought very highly of Husband and seemed to look after him. For example, on a regular basis on rotation we would thoroughly search various areas within the centre. This was to look for cigarettes and alcohol. All main areas of the prison were searched except for the kitchen area.
“The prison management would not allow anyone but Husband to have access to the kitchen area. If anyone did try and search this area there were reprimanded by management.”
“There were always very strong rumours that Neville Husband was homosexual and that he was sexually abusing boys who were working for him in the kitchen.
This was general knowledge amongst staff and boys in the centre.
“On a night time Husband would usually keep one boy back with him after the others had been dismissed and we all felt sorry for that boy.
“Nobody reported their suspicions to anyone because Husband was so close to and supported by the Governor and his senior management.
“Without proof we knew that nothing would come of it except that we would be moved to a different prison.”
“For sometime I was employed as a gate officer and was surprised to see that Husband was receiving large quantities of post containing homosexual pornography.
“Sometime the envelopes were not sealed and I used to look at the magazines and burn them without telling Husband.
“One opened package contained a video I looked at this and found it was hardcore gay porn, again I burned it.
“The only other person who got to work in Husband’s kitchen was his relief when he went on holiday.
“His relief was a prison officer called Brian Greenwell. There was one period where Husband was away for several weeks and another catering Officer was brought from elsewhere.
“Whilst this man was working in the kitchens he approached me and said that he was quite shocked to be receiving gay porn addressed to the ‘Catering Office and asked what to do with it. I took it from him and incinerated it.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Tim Newell, Gov Medomsley DC 1978 to 1981
“About five years after leaving Medomsley I was on a course at the Prison Training College at Wakefield, when I bumped into a Medomsley colleague John McBee.
John told me that -Neville had to leave the service over an allegation that he had abused a boy I was quite shocked to hear this as we had continued to exchange Christmas cards.
“Neville didn’t take much time off and worked very long hours. When he was off a relief chef filled in for him, but Neville usually worked alone with the assistance of trainees which he selected.
“Neville was qualified for promotion but never took up the promotion. I have never been in touch with Neville Husband since, 1981 but I did write to him offering support shortly after I had spoken to John McBee.
“Neville seemed a devoted family man and spent a lot of his time with his family & was heavily involved in church matters.
“Not entirely consistent with what Officer McClure says is it? For it would appear that this Governor was affording Neville Husband a measure of special privilege, in going against prison protocols in the prevention of officers in their right of search of the kitchen area where Neville husband sexually abusing the kitchen inmates.”
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Thomas Boyle, Prison officer Med DC 1974 to 1977
“Husband left Medomsley on promotion around 1982 it was within a matter of weeks after he left that I was asked to assist to clean out the upstairs area of the kitchen it was while cleaning one of these upstairs rooms out, with Tony HAYES who had taken over from Husband that I opened up a 4 drawer cabinet.
“In one of the drawers I found a dildo, one or two bras, stockings and different coloured suspender belts. There were also a number of pornographic books such as parade and hustler. Books of this nature were not allowed in the detention centre.”
“He did comment that,’ THE BEST KITCHEN STAFF WERE COLOURED AND GAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE CLEANEST.”
“Thomas Boyle also thought it ok to destroy evidence. By doing so he allowed more years of sexual abuse to continue and many more young vulnerable people to suffer at the hands of his fellow officers, again a failure in his duty to the inmates of the detention centre.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Tony Hayes, Prison officer Med DC 1980 to 1987
“As soon as I arrived I was told by two officers that Neville Husband was a domineering character and also that he allegedly sexually abused inmates. One of these officers was called Neil Sowerby and the other one was called Frank but I don’t remember his surname, I know that he eventually moved to Frankland.
“About six months to a year before Husband left one of the gate officers intercepted a package addressed to him and found it contained gay pornographic video. He showed this to me before destroying it. I don’t remember the name of this prison officer.
“Husband was into local amateur dramatics and I know that he took at least four boys out of the Detention Centre to help him set up things for the dramatics group. I also know from talking to these boys that he also took them to his home.
“I don’t remember these boy’s names but it was about two months after I’d arrived. I learned from other staff that Husband had returned the boys to camp about 11 .00pm (2300hrs) on each occasion.
“In 1985 or 1986 Husband was promoted and moved to H.M.P Frankland. I remember he left at 1 .00pm (l300hrs) on a Thursday, leaving me in charge of the kitchen. The same day I went into work at 2.30pm (l430hrs) and on arrival I was immediately approached by a delegation of three kitchen lads.
“One of them was the spokesperson, he asked me if Mr. Husband had finished for good I replied ‘Yes’ The next question was, has he really finished , is he not coming back I confirmed that was the situation The three boys then told me that when Husband was working and I * was not there, that the lad who was working in the pastry department would never clean up They said that Husband would take him up to the staff changing room to look at pornography He would then come back to the kitchen to organise the cleaners and then return to the changing room These three suggested that this was to have sex with the boy.
“Even though I believed that what these boys had told me I was still too scared of Husband to say anything to anybody Prior to Husband leaving there were a number of times when I had taken sick leave because of the stress of Husband’s overbearing, overpowering and intimidating attitude towards me was too much for me to cope with. I can say that I was frightened of Neville Husband and that although I was very relieved when he left, this fear stayed with me for quite a while.
“Another prisoner told me that he had been sent up a ladder in the dry store by Husband and that once up the ladder Husband had fondled his privates. This lad had allegedly retaliated .and struck Husband.
“Later On the same day that Husband left Medomsley, I went into the kitchen office. In this office was a locked five drawer steel filing cabinet. Husband did all the ordering and he was the only one to have a key. I never saw inside this cabinet whilst he was there. He claimed to use it as a secure store for prisoner’s money. On this afternoon when he left I asked Husband for the key and he gave me it.
“After the three boy delegation had left my office I opened the locked drawers. Apart from legitimate paperwork, I found stuck to the back of the fourth drawer down, three thongs, one lace, one of PVC and one made of nylon. In the bottom drawer was a small quarter full jar of Vaseline and a white vibrator about four inches long. Shortly after I had found these items Neil Sowerby came into the office and I showed him what I’d found, before throwing them away.
“I continued to work at Medomsley until it closed in 1987 and I moved to H.M.P Durham. I resigned from the prison service in June 2001.
“I think that other prison officers who may know what Husband was doing are, Harrison, Bill Smith, a garden civilian and a Prison Officer called Frank Williams.
The third officer who makes the same observations as the others only this officer was told that Husband was abusing boys “A Delegation” of young inmates told him what husband was doing. He himself found a vibrator sexual apparel and pornography.
He also had opportunity with working in the kitchen to observe some of Husband’s control and manipulation tactics and he felt he himself had been subjected to intimidation at the hands of Husband. This officer needs to be applauded for his honesty now; however he bares a heavy responsibility for his lack of care and a gross dereliction of duty to many inmates of the detention centre.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Paul Montague Prison officer Med DC 1979 to 1982
“Husband ran the kitchen and among his staff of inmates he always had one boy identified as a head kitchen boy. The head kitchen boy and a couple of other senior boys always wore a red tie and remember that there used to be quite a bit of Mickey taking and banter about the head kitchen lad being involved sexually with Husband. This Mickey taking was very over the top and open. It was treated as a joke. It was so over the top that nobody believed it could have been true.
“It was not until I was working in Durham prison in November or December of 2000 (11 or 12/2000) and I was approached by prisoner ***** **** that I realised that Husband may have sexually abusing boys in Medomsley. **** told me that Husband had raped him whilst at Medomsley I passed this complaint on to my supervisor Governor Donn I know that before Husband left Medomsley he worked quite closely with a PO called Tony Hayes I vaguely remember Hayes finding some pornography and other items after Husband had left I’m sure he will be able to help you Tony works at Risley Prison Another PO who used to work in the kitchen Quite a lot was a maintenance electrician called Barry Paterson He is now an electrician at Low Newton Prison
“During my time at Medomsley I worked under four different governors they were, in Chronological order; Tim Newell (now at Grendon Prison), Derek Whitehead (Retired); Chris Harder (retired) and the last one whose name I can’t remember who came from Kirk Levington.
“The Mickey taking was very over the top and open. It was treated as a joke. It was so over the top that nobody believed it could have been true.”
This officer obviously thought it amusing when he heard the rumours and instead of acting on the rumours he ignored them just like the list of other officers. What amused him was actually our torture.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Alan Reed, Prison officer at Medomsley DC 1974 to 1987
“Husband was also a member of Shotley Bridge, Theatrical Society and used to take inmates out to assist him; I’m not sure whether they were in the play or were just assisting with meals etc. Husband would have had to have some sort of authority to do this usually. The prison governor who at the time was Tim Newell with whom he was quite friendly.
“At the time I was at Medomsley with Husband who I believe left before me I did hear rumours that he was interfering with the boys, that was the usual banter in prison amongst staff. For instance Husband used to call Leslie Johnson, the Queen Mother’ but it was all banter. It did occur to me while knowing Husband that he maybe was a homosexual however he was a married man, with children, he was always coming out with sexual banter, double meanings etc.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Evidence Alan Marrs, Prison officer of Medomsley DC 1984 to 1987.
“When I first went to Medomsley I remember Neville Husband who was the catering officer there. I would describe him as aged around 50 years old, short fat with greasy, greying lank hair.
“Husband left a year to two years after I first started I did hear rumours from officers who had served there longer that Husband had interfered with some of the inmates who worked in the kitchens.
“These rumours were about Husband only and did not involve anyone else. I remember Les JOHNSON was about Husband’s only close associate.
Les was a store man at Medomsley.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Kathleen Collwell, Admin Officer Med DC until 1988
“I would only see Neville if he was passing my office in order to see the Governors. He would never pass the time of day with me hut would only acknowledge me, as my door was usually open.
“As stated, I didn’t know Neville Husband on a social basis but I was aware of rumours circulating the centre regarding his behaviour i.e. that he had his favourite boys.
“I personally felt that he looked like a ‘pervert’ or a ‘dirty old man’. He never looked clean and he would often wear an old rain mac. I certainly felt very uneasy in his presence there was just something that I did not like about him.
No-one ever seemed to question him about his behaviour.
List of Officers:
Thomas Boyle,
Brian Judson,
Jimmy Bradley,
Bill Miller,
Chris Onslow,
Dave Tock,
Frank Shand
David McClure
Tony Hayes
Leslie Johnson
James Malcolm Kirkup
Brian Greenwell
Michael Paul Montague
Danny Scott
Barry Paterson
John McBee
Chief officer Homewood
Neil Sowerby
Alan Reid
Alan Marrs
Neville Husband
George Heath
Bill Smith
List of Governors
James Millar Reid
Timothy Charles Newell
Derek Whitehead
Chris Harder
It is a credit to those members of staff who came forward and told the truth. Without them, Neville Husband and his colleague Leslie Johnson would still be abusing children and youths, and causing more damage to people's lives.
But let us not be naïve and imagine that Neville Husband and Leslie Johnson were the only two perpetrators of such crime, and that prison inmates elsewhere are now safely doing their time in institutions throughout the whole of the UK.
These people were in a position of professional trust.
They witnessed crime of such magnitude and did nothing.
These silent witnesses were breaking the law, and they should at least be publicly held accountable for their collusive behaviour.
Without some follow up to their actions there is little hope for survivors left in their wake to recover their dignity.
There is also very little hope of stopping the destruction of the lives of other inmates who are still being detained in institutions throughout the land, and all because prison officers are not held accountable.
David Greenwood, Jordans Solicitors, Neil Jordan House, Wellington Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF13 1HL, 01924 457171
"Tim Newell thought very highly of Husband and seemed to look after him. For example, on a regular basis on rotation we would thoroughly search various areas within the centre. This was to look for cigarettes and alcohol. All main areas of the prison were searched except for the kitchen area.
“The prison management would not allow anyone but Husband to have access to the kitchen area. If anyone did try and search this area there were reprimanded by management.”
“There were always very strong rumours that Neville Husband was homosexual and that he was sexually abusing boys who were working for him in the kitchen.
This was general knowledge amongst staff and boys in the centre.
“On a night time Husband would usually keep one boy back with him after the others had been dismissed and we all felt sorry for that boy.
“Nobody reported their suspicions to anyone because Husband was so close to and supported by the Governor and his senior management.
“Without proof we knew that nothing would come of it except that we would be moved to a different prison.”
“For sometime I was employed as a gate officer and was surprised to see that Husband was receiving large quantities of post containing homosexual pornography.
“Sometime the envelopes were not sealed and I used to look at the magazines and burn them without telling Husband.
“One opened package contained a video I looked at this and found it was hardcore gay porn, again I burned it.
“The only other person who got to work in Husband’s kitchen was his relief when he went on holiday.
“His relief was a prison officer called Brian Greenwell. There was one period where Husband was away for several weeks and another catering Officer was brought from elsewhere.
“Whilst this man was working in the kitchens he approached me and said that he was quite shocked to be receiving gay porn addressed to the ‘Catering Office and asked what to do with it. I took it from him and incinerated it.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Tim Newell, Gov Medomsley DC 1978 to 1981
“About five years after leaving Medomsley I was on a course at the Prison Training College at Wakefield, when I bumped into a Medomsley colleague John McBee.
John told me that -Neville had to leave the service over an allegation that he had abused a boy I was quite shocked to hear this as we had continued to exchange Christmas cards.
“Neville didn’t take much time off and worked very long hours. When he was off a relief chef filled in for him, but Neville usually worked alone with the assistance of trainees which he selected.
“Neville was qualified for promotion but never took up the promotion. I have never been in touch with Neville Husband since, 1981 but I did write to him offering support shortly after I had spoken to John McBee.
“Neville seemed a devoted family man and spent a lot of his time with his family & was heavily involved in church matters.
“Not entirely consistent with what Officer McClure says is it? For it would appear that this Governor was affording Neville Husband a measure of special privilege, in going against prison protocols in the prevention of officers in their right of search of the kitchen area where Neville husband sexually abusing the kitchen inmates.”
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Thomas Boyle, Prison officer Med DC 1974 to 1977
“Husband left Medomsley on promotion around 1982 it was within a matter of weeks after he left that I was asked to assist to clean out the upstairs area of the kitchen it was while cleaning one of these upstairs rooms out, with Tony HAYES who had taken over from Husband that I opened up a 4 drawer cabinet.
“In one of the drawers I found a dildo, one or two bras, stockings and different coloured suspender belts. There were also a number of pornographic books such as parade and hustler. Books of this nature were not allowed in the detention centre.”
“He did comment that,’ THE BEST KITCHEN STAFF WERE COLOURED AND GAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE CLEANEST.”
“Thomas Boyle also thought it ok to destroy evidence. By doing so he allowed more years of sexual abuse to continue and many more young vulnerable people to suffer at the hands of his fellow officers, again a failure in his duty to the inmates of the detention centre.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Tony Hayes, Prison officer Med DC 1980 to 1987
“As soon as I arrived I was told by two officers that Neville Husband was a domineering character and also that he allegedly sexually abused inmates. One of these officers was called Neil Sowerby and the other one was called Frank but I don’t remember his surname, I know that he eventually moved to Frankland.
“About six months to a year before Husband left one of the gate officers intercepted a package addressed to him and found it contained gay pornographic video. He showed this to me before destroying it. I don’t remember the name of this prison officer.
“Husband was into local amateur dramatics and I know that he took at least four boys out of the Detention Centre to help him set up things for the dramatics group. I also know from talking to these boys that he also took them to his home.
“I don’t remember these boy’s names but it was about two months after I’d arrived. I learned from other staff that Husband had returned the boys to camp about 11 .00pm (2300hrs) on each occasion.
“In 1985 or 1986 Husband was promoted and moved to H.M.P Frankland. I remember he left at 1 .00pm (l300hrs) on a Thursday, leaving me in charge of the kitchen. The same day I went into work at 2.30pm (l430hrs) and on arrival I was immediately approached by a delegation of three kitchen lads.
“One of them was the spokesperson, he asked me if Mr. Husband had finished for good I replied ‘Yes’ The next question was, has he really finished , is he not coming back I confirmed that was the situation The three boys then told me that when Husband was working and I * was not there, that the lad who was working in the pastry department would never clean up They said that Husband would take him up to the staff changing room to look at pornography He would then come back to the kitchen to organise the cleaners and then return to the changing room These three suggested that this was to have sex with the boy.
“Even though I believed that what these boys had told me I was still too scared of Husband to say anything to anybody Prior to Husband leaving there were a number of times when I had taken sick leave because of the stress of Husband’s overbearing, overpowering and intimidating attitude towards me was too much for me to cope with. I can say that I was frightened of Neville Husband and that although I was very relieved when he left, this fear stayed with me for quite a while.
“Another prisoner told me that he had been sent up a ladder in the dry store by Husband and that once up the ladder Husband had fondled his privates. This lad had allegedly retaliated .and struck Husband.
“Later On the same day that Husband left Medomsley, I went into the kitchen office. In this office was a locked five drawer steel filing cabinet. Husband did all the ordering and he was the only one to have a key. I never saw inside this cabinet whilst he was there. He claimed to use it as a secure store for prisoner’s money. On this afternoon when he left I asked Husband for the key and he gave me it.
“After the three boy delegation had left my office I opened the locked drawers. Apart from legitimate paperwork, I found stuck to the back of the fourth drawer down, three thongs, one lace, one of PVC and one made of nylon. In the bottom drawer was a small quarter full jar of Vaseline and a white vibrator about four inches long. Shortly after I had found these items Neil Sowerby came into the office and I showed him what I’d found, before throwing them away.
“I continued to work at Medomsley until it closed in 1987 and I moved to H.M.P Durham. I resigned from the prison service in June 2001.
“I think that other prison officers who may know what Husband was doing are, Harrison, Bill Smith, a garden civilian and a Prison Officer called Frank Williams.
The third officer who makes the same observations as the others only this officer was told that Husband was abusing boys “A Delegation” of young inmates told him what husband was doing. He himself found a vibrator sexual apparel and pornography.
He also had opportunity with working in the kitchen to observe some of Husband’s control and manipulation tactics and he felt he himself had been subjected to intimidation at the hands of Husband. This officer needs to be applauded for his honesty now; however he bares a heavy responsibility for his lack of care and a gross dereliction of duty to many inmates of the detention centre.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Paul Montague Prison officer Med DC 1979 to 1982
“Husband ran the kitchen and among his staff of inmates he always had one boy identified as a head kitchen boy. The head kitchen boy and a couple of other senior boys always wore a red tie and remember that there used to be quite a bit of Mickey taking and banter about the head kitchen lad being involved sexually with Husband. This Mickey taking was very over the top and open. It was treated as a joke. It was so over the top that nobody believed it could have been true.
“It was not until I was working in Durham prison in November or December of 2000 (11 or 12/2000) and I was approached by prisoner ***** **** that I realised that Husband may have sexually abusing boys in Medomsley. **** told me that Husband had raped him whilst at Medomsley I passed this complaint on to my supervisor Governor Donn I know that before Husband left Medomsley he worked quite closely with a PO called Tony Hayes I vaguely remember Hayes finding some pornography and other items after Husband had left I’m sure he will be able to help you Tony works at Risley Prison Another PO who used to work in the kitchen Quite a lot was a maintenance electrician called Barry Paterson He is now an electrician at Low Newton Prison
“During my time at Medomsley I worked under four different governors they were, in Chronological order; Tim Newell (now at Grendon Prison), Derek Whitehead (Retired); Chris Harder (retired) and the last one whose name I can’t remember who came from Kirk Levington.
“The Mickey taking was very over the top and open. It was treated as a joke. It was so over the top that nobody believed it could have been true.”
This officer obviously thought it amusing when he heard the rumours and instead of acting on the rumours he ignored them just like the list of other officers. What amused him was actually our torture.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Alan Reed, Prison officer at Medomsley DC 1974 to 1987
“Husband was also a member of Shotley Bridge, Theatrical Society and used to take inmates out to assist him; I’m not sure whether they were in the play or were just assisting with meals etc. Husband would have had to have some sort of authority to do this usually. The prison governor who at the time was Tim Newell with whom he was quite friendly.
“At the time I was at Medomsley with Husband who I believe left before me I did hear rumours that he was interfering with the boys, that was the usual banter in prison amongst staff. For instance Husband used to call Leslie Johnson, the Queen Mother’ but it was all banter. It did occur to me while knowing Husband that he maybe was a homosexual however he was a married man, with children, he was always coming out with sexual banter, double meanings etc.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Evidence Alan Marrs, Prison officer of Medomsley DC 1984 to 1987.
“When I first went to Medomsley I remember Neville Husband who was the catering officer there. I would describe him as aged around 50 years old, short fat with greasy, greying lank hair.
“Husband left a year to two years after I first started I did hear rumours from officers who had served there longer that Husband had interfered with some of the inmates who worked in the kitchens.
“These rumours were about Husband only and did not involve anyone else. I remember Les JOHNSON was about Husband’s only close associate.
Les was a store man at Medomsley.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act this is the evidence of Kathleen Collwell, Admin Officer Med DC until 1988
“I would only see Neville if he was passing my office in order to see the Governors. He would never pass the time of day with me hut would only acknowledge me, as my door was usually open.
“As stated, I didn’t know Neville Husband on a social basis but I was aware of rumours circulating the centre regarding his behaviour i.e. that he had his favourite boys.
“I personally felt that he looked like a ‘pervert’ or a ‘dirty old man’. He never looked clean and he would often wear an old rain mac. I certainly felt very uneasy in his presence there was just something that I did not like about him.
No-one ever seemed to question him about his behaviour.
List of Officers:
Thomas Boyle,
Brian Judson,
Jimmy Bradley,
Bill Miller,
Chris Onslow,
Dave Tock,
Frank Shand
David McClure
Tony Hayes
Leslie Johnson
James Malcolm Kirkup
Brian Greenwell
Michael Paul Montague
Danny Scott
Barry Paterson
John McBee
Chief officer Homewood
Neil Sowerby
Alan Reid
Alan Marrs
Neville Husband
George Heath
Bill Smith
List of Governors
James Millar Reid
Timothy Charles Newell
Derek Whitehead
Chris Harder
It is a credit to those members of staff who came forward and told the truth. Without them, Neville Husband and his colleague Leslie Johnson would still be abusing children and youths, and causing more damage to people's lives.
But let us not be naïve and imagine that Neville Husband and Leslie Johnson were the only two perpetrators of such crime, and that prison inmates elsewhere are now safely doing their time in institutions throughout the whole of the UK.
These people were in a position of professional trust.
They witnessed crime of such magnitude and did nothing.
These silent witnesses were breaking the law, and they should at least be publicly held accountable for their collusive behaviour.
Without some follow up to their actions there is little hope for survivors left in their wake to recover their dignity.
There is also very little hope of stopping the destruction of the lives of other inmates who are still being detained in institutions throughout the land, and all because prison officers are not held accountable.
David Greenwood, Jordans Solicitors, Neil Jordan House, Wellington Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF13 1HL, 01924 457171
Exclusive By Gavin Engelbrecht
