Friday, 12 February 2016
Medomsley Detention Centre – Barriers to Justice
by David Greenwood
I have been involved with holding the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice to account for the abuse of boys in the Medomsley Detention Centre since 2003 when a courageous man called Kevin Young asked me to look into his complaints of brutally violent sexual abuse by a Senior Prison Officer, when he was aged 17 and detained at Medomsley Detention Centre.
Kevin had “locked the memory of the sexual abuse at Medomsley in a metaphorical box” in his head and had managed to get through life successfully until 1999 when he had a chance encounter with his abuser, Neville Husband in the streets of York. This triggered Kevin’s memories of the abuse. The lid had well and truly come off his box of memories and he was unable to replace it. At that time he was in contact with the police regarding the abuse at another institution near Tadcaster and so asked the police to look into Neville Husband’s activities at Medomsley. A police investigation began which resulted in Husband’s first conviction in 2003.
I have named Kevin here as he has been willing to disclosure his identity from an early stage. In different ways I could be speaking about many other men who have been abused and psychologically tormented by the memories of abuse at Medomsley. As if it was not enough that boys entering Medomsley from the 60’s to the 80’s had to endure heavily physical abuse, we now know that 100’s and possibly 1000’s have been sexually abused whilst detained at Medomsley. Their treatment amounts to torture and is an issue which I have reported to the United Nations Committee on Torture which is currently in the process of examining the UK’s record on torture.
The general public in the UK maybe under the impression that reporting this type of crime and achieving Justice both in the Criminal Courts and the Civil Courts is relatively straight forward. You would assume that the police are on the side of victims of abuse and will readily treat them fairly and pursue allegations against alleged abusers. We now know that until recently the criminal justice system has proved either unwilling or unable to provide the kind of justice we would expect.
I have heard many counts of boys leaving Medomsley and tried to complain to the police in Durham or Newcastle at their local Police Stations, only to be told that the police refused to take their complaints or carry out any kind of investigation. This is an issue which Operation Seabrook is currently looking into.
Whilst the conviction of Husband in 2003 was to be welcomed, the depth of the investigation has to be criticised. These were extremely serious allegations of multiple abusers operating in a small detention centre with a large group of boys. The psychological effects of the local population have been immense and for the police to have failed until recently to carry out a thorough investigation suggests and unwillingness to confront the very real fear that the sexual abuse of boys at Medomsley Detention Centre was carried out and subsequently covered up in an organised way.
So we know that the police have put hurdles in the way of boys trying to complain about abuse at Medomsley. We also know from Kevin Young’s experience and having to take his case right through to the House of Lords with me in 2008 and that the Civil Justice System has operated against child sexual abuse complainants by attempting to impose time limits (which in my view are entirely unfair, given the subject matter and psychological effects this abuse has had on the victim).
We also know that even after the original criminal trial and the civil trail and the weight of evidence which emerged in the early 2000’s no-one at the Home Office thought it would be a good idea carry out a review of what had happened at Medomsley. The treatment of young offenders at Medomsley was shocking on many levels and was likely at some point to be explosive for Home Officer Ministers and the Prison Service. If it hasn’t already caused serious embarrassment to the Ministry of Justice, the Prison Service, Prison Officers association and Civil Servants, a light that will be shone on Medomsley by the Goddard Inquiry.
So we have seen various legal obstacles in the way of boys complaining about abuse at Medomsley but the overwhelming and most difficult obstacle for men who were abused at Medomsley is the feeling of shame and guilt which is generated by the sexual abuse itself. Psychologists tell us that most survivors of childhood sexual abuse don’t talk about their experience and those who do may be put off coming forward if they encounter the slightest sense that they not believed or supported.
All of these factors mean that although Durham Constabulary have announced recently that approximately 1,200 men who were at Medomsley have spoken to them, there are likely to be thousands more out there who have either locked their memories in a box like Kevin Young or who struggle day to say with the psychological fallout from their appalling treatment.
The Operation Seabrook is an opportunity for the police in the criminal justice system to demonstrate how well it can deal with survivors but we also need the Goddard Enquiry to explain to the nation how institutions who are entrusted with the care of vulnerable boys treated them so badly that they became a lost generation. We need to learn the lessons of the past so that we can better shape the future of these institutions. We also need to plough substantial sums of money into effective counselling and therapy.
David Greenwood. Solicitor
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Inquiry failed us say abuse victims after police rule out action over "brutal, horrible" approved school
A POLICE chief is urging alleged abuse victims from a former approved school to contact him directly after some claimed their complaints were being “swept under the carpet”.
The Northern Echo revealed earlier this year that police were looking into complaints from three individuals over their treatment while pupils at Stanhope Castle school, in County Durham, between the late 1950s and early 1970s.
Following publicity surrounding the case, a number of other people came forward also alleging physical and sexual assaults.
Durham Police say no further action is to be taken in respect of those
complaints, although one line of enquiry into a reported incident
remains active.
But angry former pupils say the true scale of the abuse is not being made known and claim police failed to properly investigate.
One of Durham Police’s most senior officers, Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, head of its safeguarding team, has taken the unusual step of asking anyone unhappy to get in touch with him, while acknowledging the challenging nature of investigating historic abuse from decades ago.
A former pupil, who was told his case has now been closed, told The Northern Echo that he first went to Durham Police in 1999, only to be told years later his files had been lost.
He said 20 ex-pupils living in the region, who have formed a group, recently lodged complaints.
The 67-year-old, who lives in Middlesbrough and claims he was repeatedly raped while at Stanhope, said: “People don’t realise what went on there. This has affected me all through my life.
“I named five people and have been told two are dead and there is three they can’t trace. They were four members of staff and one former pupil.
“This can’t be shut down as long as people are still alive and they haven’t been investigated. I want all this out in the open before I die.”
Another man said he attended Stanhope in the mid 1970s and described it as an “evil, brutal, horrible place”.
He claimed he was tortured, stripped naked and locked in a room without heating or light for up to four days a time.
He said: “I am not satisfied with the recent investigation. Every time I report this, it is always swept under the carpet.”
Responding to the criticism, Det Supt Goundry said: “As a force we are committed to fully investigate every report of historic sexual abuse, as is evident in the Medomsley inquiry [concerning the former detention centre near Consett], where we are working with more than 1,250 victims.
“We will also investigate reports of historic physical assaults, but there are clear thresholds that have to be met to be made before any charge can be made.
“The police in co-operation with the Crown Prosecution Service need to consider each allegation on an individual basis, including the opportunities to gather evidence for an offence that took place decades ago.
“I urge any victim of an assault who is unhappy with Durham Constabulary’s service regarding their investigation to email me directly via paul.goundry@durham.pnn.police.uk.
“This will enable me to make a decision on the most appropriate course of action.”
A spokesman for Durham Police said: “The initial three reports have been thoroughly investigated and all the complainants have been informed there is no further police action.
“This has also been the case with all of the subsequent allegations, except for one investigation into an alleged sexual assault which remains open and we are in regular contact with that complainant.”
But angry former pupils say the true scale of the abuse is not being made known and claim police failed to properly investigate.
One of Durham Police’s most senior officers, Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, head of its safeguarding team, has taken the unusual step of asking anyone unhappy to get in touch with him, while acknowledging the challenging nature of investigating historic abuse from decades ago.
A former pupil, who was told his case has now been closed, told The Northern Echo that he first went to Durham Police in 1999, only to be told years later his files had been lost.
The 67-year-old, who lives in Middlesbrough and claims he was repeatedly raped while at Stanhope, said: “People don’t realise what went on there. This has affected me all through my life.
“I named five people and have been told two are dead and there is three they can’t trace. They were four members of staff and one former pupil.
“This can’t be shut down as long as people are still alive and they haven’t been investigated. I want all this out in the open before I die.”
Another man said he attended Stanhope in the mid 1970s and described it as an “evil, brutal, horrible place”.
He claimed he was tortured, stripped naked and locked in a room without heating or light for up to four days a time.
He said: “I am not satisfied with the recent investigation. Every time I report this, it is always swept under the carpet.”
Responding to the criticism, Det Supt Goundry said: “As a force we are committed to fully investigate every report of historic sexual abuse, as is evident in the Medomsley inquiry [concerning the former detention centre near Consett], where we are working with more than 1,250 victims.
“We will also investigate reports of historic physical assaults, but there are clear thresholds that have to be met to be made before any charge can be made.
“The police in co-operation with the Crown Prosecution Service need to consider each allegation on an individual basis, including the opportunities to gather evidence for an offence that took place decades ago.
“I urge any victim of an assault who is unhappy with Durham Constabulary’s service regarding their investigation to email me directly via paul.goundry@durham.pnn.police.uk.
“This will enable me to make a decision on the most appropriate course of action.”
A spokesman for Durham Police said: “The initial three reports have been thoroughly investigated and all the complainants have been informed there is no further police action.
“This has also been the case with all of the subsequent allegations, except for one investigation into an alleged sexual assault which remains open and we are in regular contact with that complainant.”
It was later taken over by Cleveland County Council’s social services department in the early 1970s and turned into a children’s home, but closed in 1981 after becoming under occupied.
Source
John McCabe (1041124)
I can't comment with regards to Durham's investigation at Stanhope Castle Approved School.
What I can say to any;
"Unhappy Victims" Wording is no doubt a understatement !
My name is John McCabe, I am a Victim from The Medomsley Detention Centre.
I'm presently involved in Durham's Opertation SeaBrook Investigation.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/crime/10964532.My_months_of_horror_at_Medomsley_Detention_Centre_at_the_hands_of_sexual_predator_Neville_Husband/?ref=arc
I can not comment with reference to Operation SeaBrook, as it is still ongoing.
What I can say without doubt'
DS Paul Goundry is a man of his word.
DC Paul Goundry, over the past 3 years has shown the utmost respect to all victims of Medomsley" And he will go beyond the call of duty' to meet all victims personally at anytime and a location which is within the boundaries of any victims comfort zone.
I would support DC Paul Goundry's plea !
To any victims from Stanhope Castle Approved School"
If you have any issues" Please contact him.
paul.goundry@durham
pnn.police.uk
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 Seabrook team; to gain the fullest understanding of how Medomsley operated during those years and to secure evidence so that any potential offenders are brought to justice.
The 'Seabrook' team has now heard from more than 1,250 former inmates at Medomsley who have reported they were abused while detained at the centre.
All of the surviving main suspects 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 are likely to give evidence.
At this stage it is not anticipated any criminal charges would be brought before 2016.
The Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) for Seabrook is Det Supt Paul Goundry, with Det Chief Insp Brad Howe as the deputy SIO and Marian Garland as victim co-ordinator.
Anyone needing to make contact with them in writing can email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk
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.
Det Supt Goundry said: "We realised from an early stage this was going to be a complex and lengthy investigation and I appreciate we are now in the third year of our work.
"I would stress to all those we have spoken to and all those who have contacted us that we and CPS are working as hard as we can to carry out the necessary actions."
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.
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.
What I can say to any;
"Unhappy Victims" Wording is no doubt a understatement !
My name is John McCabe, I am a Victim from The Medomsley Detention Centre.
I'm presently involved in Durham's Opertation SeaBrook Investigation.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/crime/10964532.My_months_of_horror_at_Medomsley_Detention_Centre_at_the_hands_of_sexual_predator_Neville_Husband/?ref=arc
I can not comment with reference to Operation SeaBrook, as it is still ongoing.
What I can say without doubt'
DS Paul Goundry is a man of his word.
DC Paul Goundry, over the past 3 years has shown the utmost respect to all victims of Medomsley" And he will go beyond the call of duty' to meet all victims personally at anytime and a location which is within the boundaries of any victims comfort zone.
I would support DC Paul Goundry's plea !
To any victims from Stanhope Castle Approved School"
If you have any issues" Please contact him.
paul.goundry@durham
pnn.police.uk
Operation Seabrook - Medomsley Detention Centre
07/12/2015
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 Seabrook team; to gain the fullest understanding of how Medomsley operated during those years and to secure evidence so that any potential offenders are brought to justice.
The 'Seabrook' team has now heard from more than 1,250 former inmates at Medomsley who have reported they were abused while detained at the centre.
All of the surviving main suspects 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 are likely to give evidence.
At this stage it is not anticipated any criminal charges would be brought before 2016.
The Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) for Seabrook is Det Supt Paul Goundry, with Det Chief Insp Brad Howe as the deputy SIO and Marian Garland as victim co-ordinator.
Anyone needing to make contact with them in writing can email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk
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.
Det Supt Goundry said: "We realised from an early stage this was going to be a complex and lengthy investigation and I appreciate we are now in the third year of our work.
"I would stress to all those we have spoken to and all those who have contacted us that we and CPS are working as hard as we can to carry out the necessary actions."
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.
|
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.
Alleged abuse victims 'failed' by Durham Police
A police chief has urged alleged abuse victims from a former approved
school to contact him directly after some former pupils have claimed their complaints were being “swept under the carpet”.
Police were looking into complaints from three individuals over their treatment while pupils at Stanhope Castle school, in County Durham, between the late 1950s and early 1970s.
Following publicity surrounding the case, a number of other people came forward also alleging physical and sexual assaults.
Durham Police say no further action is to be taken in respect of those complaints, although one line of enquiry into a reported incident remains active.
But the angry former pupils say the true scale of the abuse is not being made known and claim police failed to properly investigate.
One former pupil, who was told his case has now been closed, said that he first went to Durham Police in 1999, only to be told years later his files had been lost.
He said 20 ex-pupils living in the region, who have formed a group, recently lodged complaints.
The 67-year-old, who lives in Middlesbrough and claims he was repeatedly raped while at Stanhope, said:
“People don’t realise what went on there. This has affected me all through my life. I named five people and have been told two are dead and there are three they can’t trace. They were four members of staff and one former pupil.
This can’t be shut down as long as people are still alive and they haven’t been investigated. I want all this out in the open before I die.”
Another man said he attended Stanhope in the mid 1970s and described it as an “evil, brutal, horrible place”.
He claimed he was tortured, stripped naked and locked in a room without heating or light for up to four days at a time.
He said: “I am not satisfied with the recent investigation. Every time I report this, it is always swept under the carpet.”
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, head of Durham Police's safeguarding team, has taken the unusual step of asking anyone unhappy to get in touch with him, while acknowledging the challenging nature of investigating historic abuse from decades ago.
Police were looking into complaints from three individuals over their treatment while pupils at Stanhope Castle school, in County Durham, between the late 1950s and early 1970s.
Following publicity surrounding the case, a number of other people came forward also alleging physical and sexual assaults.
Durham Police say no further action is to be taken in respect of those complaints, although one line of enquiry into a reported incident remains active.
But the angry former pupils say the true scale of the abuse is not being made known and claim police failed to properly investigate.
One former pupil, who was told his case has now been closed, said that he first went to Durham Police in 1999, only to be told years later his files had been lost.
He said 20 ex-pupils living in the region, who have formed a group, recently lodged complaints.
The 67-year-old, who lives in Middlesbrough and claims he was repeatedly raped while at Stanhope, said:
“People don’t realise what went on there. This has affected me all through my life. I named five people and have been told two are dead and there are three they can’t trace. They were four members of staff and one former pupil.
This can’t be shut down as long as people are still alive and they haven’t been investigated. I want all this out in the open before I die.”
Another man said he attended Stanhope in the mid 1970s and described it as an “evil, brutal, horrible place”.
He claimed he was tortured, stripped naked and locked in a room without heating or light for up to four days at a time.
He said: “I am not satisfied with the recent investigation. Every time I report this, it is always swept under the carpet.”
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, head of Durham Police's safeguarding team, has taken the unusual step of asking anyone unhappy to get in touch with him, while acknowledging the challenging nature of investigating historic abuse from decades ago.
Stanhope Castle, a grade II listed castle which was built in the late 18th
century, became the location for a Home Office approved school during the
Second World War.
It was later taken over by Cleveland County Council’s social services department in the early 1970s and turned into a children’s home, but closed in 1981 after becoming under occupied.
It was later taken over by Cleveland County Council’s social services department in the early 1970s and turned into a children’s home, but closed in 1981 after becoming under occupied.
Friday, 1 January 2016
Former staff at Medomsley Detention Centre quizzed on abuse
Detectives leading the UK’s biggest investigation into historic sexual abuse have spoken to 30 former staff members at the detention centre where young victims were preyed on.
A total of 1,254 victims have come forward to tell Durham Police that they were physically or sexually abused in the 60s, 70s, and 80s at Medomsley Detention Centre near Consett, which closed in 1988.
This was where guard Neville Husband and his accomplice Leslie Johnson were able to commit sex attacks on vulnerable young men, many of whom were briefly locked up for offences which would nowadays be dealt with by community orders.
Both were jailed and have since died.
Their offending led Durham Police to launch Operation Seabrook, a huge investigation which has seen retired detectives brought back in to help with the in-depth inquiry.
Officers have spoken to 30 former prison officers, staff members or governors.
Two of the 30 were arrested on suspicion of physical and sexual assaults.
Source
Historic sex abuse inquiry detectives spoke to 30 former staff at Medomsley Detention Centre
And they revealed that the Crown Prosecution Service will decide in the next few months whether or not to bring criminal charges against staff who ran the notorious Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett.
A total of 1,254 victims have come forward to tell Durham Police that they were physically or sexually abused over a 30-year period.
The centre gained public notoriety when guard Neville Husband and
accomplice Leslie Johnson were jailed for a reign of terror which saw
them commit sex attacks on vulnerable young men, many of whom were
briefly locked up for offences which would nowadays be dealt with by
community orders.
Both men have since died.
One trainee was sexually abused after having a bread knife held to his throat, another was attacked after he stole marzipan and icing from a store.
Husband and storeman Johnson's offending led Durham Police to launch Operation Seabrook, a huge investigation which has seen retired detectives brought back in to help with the in-depth inquiry.
Medomsley closed in 1988 and detectives have since traced former staff members who ran the centre.
Durham Police said it had interviewed 30 former prison officers, members of staff or governors. Two of the 30 were arrested on suspicion of physical and sexual assaults.
The investigative phase has finished, and senior figures are in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and legal counsel about bringing charges in 2016.
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, who has led the two-year investigation, said recently: "The aim is once this is finished it's finished forever, we have to do it right, this investigation has to be meticulous."
Lawyer David Greenwood, a specialist in the rights of survivors of sexual abuse, who represents some of the Medomsley victims had no criticism of the police.
"The commitment shown by Paul Goundry and his officers has been really first class," he said.
"I think they are doing a tremendous job.
"The scale of the inquiry just demonstrates how badly things can go wrong with institutional failures.
"This has not happened just at Medomsley, it can happen in local authorities, churches, prisons and hospitals around the country."
Both men have since died.
One trainee was sexually abused after having a bread knife held to his throat, another was attacked after he stole marzipan and icing from a store.
Husband and storeman Johnson's offending led Durham Police to launch Operation Seabrook, a huge investigation which has seen retired detectives brought back in to help with the in-depth inquiry.
Medomsley closed in 1988 and detectives have since traced former staff members who ran the centre.
Durham Police said it had interviewed 30 former prison officers, members of staff or governors. Two of the 30 were arrested on suspicion of physical and sexual assaults.
The investigative phase has finished, and senior figures are in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and legal counsel about bringing charges in 2016.
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, who has led the two-year investigation, said recently: "The aim is once this is finished it's finished forever, we have to do it right, this investigation has to be meticulous."
Lawyer David Greenwood, a specialist in the rights of survivors of sexual abuse, who represents some of the Medomsley victims had no criticism of the police.
"The commitment shown by Paul Goundry and his officers has been really first class," he said.
"I think they are doing a tremendous job.
"The scale of the inquiry just demonstrates how badly things can go wrong with institutional failures.
"This has not happened just at Medomsley, it can happen in local authorities, churches, prisons and hospitals around the country."
He said: "Her inquiry has the power to get to the heart of allegations of collusion."
Source
Thursday, 31 December 2015
More than 1,000 victims have come forward to tell Durham Police that they were physically or sexually abused in the 60s, 70s and 80s
Detectives leading the country’s biggest investigation into
historic sex abuse have spoken to 30 former members of staff at
Medomsley Detention Centre.
A total of 1,254 victims have come forward to tell Durham Police that they were physically or sexually abused in the 60s, 70s and 80s at the centre near Consett.
This was where guard Neville Husband and accomplice Leslie Johnson were able to commit sex attacks on vulnerable young men, many of whom were briefly locked up for offences which would nowadays be dealt with by community orders.
Both were jailed and have since died.
One trainee was sexually abused after having a bread knife held to his throat, another was attacked after he stole marzipan and icing from a store.
Husband and storeman Johnson’s offending led Durham Police to launch Operation Seabrook, a huge investigation which has seen retired detectives brought back in to help with the in-depth inquiry.
Medomsley closed in 1988 and detectives have traced ex-employees of the centre.
Officers have spoke to 30 former prison officers, members of staff or governors. Two of the 30 were arrested on suspicion of physical and sexual assaults.
The investigative phase has finished, and senior figures are in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and legal counsel about bringing charges in 2016.
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, who has led the two-year investigation, said recently: “The aim is once this is finished it’s finished forever, we have to do it right, this investigation has to be meticulous.”
Lawyer David Greenwood, a specialist in the rights of survivors of sexual abuse, who represents some of the Medomsley victims had no criticism of the police.
“The commitment shown by Paul Goundry and his officers has been really first class,” he said.
“I think they are doing a tremendous job.
“The scale of the inquiry just demonstrates how badly things can go wrong with institutional failures.
“This has not happened just at Medomsley, it can happen in local authorities, churches, prisons and hospitals around the country.”
Mr Greenwood, who works for West Yorkshire firm Switalskis, welcomed the fact that Medomsley would be included in the Goddard Inquiry, the national, independent investigation into child abuse, led by Dame Lowell Goddard QC.
He said: “Her inquiry has the power to get to the heart of allegations of collusion.”
Source
A total of 1,254 victims have come forward to tell Durham Police that they were physically or sexually abused in the 60s, 70s and 80s at the centre near Consett.
This was where guard Neville Husband and accomplice Leslie Johnson were able to commit sex attacks on vulnerable young men, many of whom were briefly locked up for offences which would nowadays be dealt with by community orders.
Both were jailed and have since died.
One trainee was sexually abused after having a bread knife held to his throat, another was attacked after he stole marzipan and icing from a store.
Husband and storeman Johnson’s offending led Durham Police to launch Operation Seabrook, a huge investigation which has seen retired detectives brought back in to help with the in-depth inquiry.
Medomsley closed in 1988 and detectives have traced ex-employees of the centre.
Officers have spoke to 30 former prison officers, members of staff or governors. Two of the 30 were arrested on suspicion of physical and sexual assaults.
The investigative phase has finished, and senior figures are in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and legal counsel about bringing charges in 2016.
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, who has led the two-year investigation, said recently: “The aim is once this is finished it’s finished forever, we have to do it right, this investigation has to be meticulous.”
Lawyer David Greenwood, a specialist in the rights of survivors of sexual abuse, who represents some of the Medomsley victims had no criticism of the police.
“The commitment shown by Paul Goundry and his officers has been really first class,” he said.
“I think they are doing a tremendous job.
“The scale of the inquiry just demonstrates how badly things can go wrong with institutional failures.
“This has not happened just at Medomsley, it can happen in local authorities, churches, prisons and hospitals around the country.”
Mr Greenwood, who works for West Yorkshire firm Switalskis, welcomed the fact that Medomsley would be included in the Goddard Inquiry, the national, independent investigation into child abuse, led by Dame Lowell Goddard QC.
He said: “Her inquiry has the power to get to the heart of allegations of collusion.”
Source
Historic sex abuse inquiry police spoke to 30 ex-staff at detention centre
Detectives leading the country's biggest investigation
into historic sex abuse have spoken to 30 former members of staff at the
detention centre where young victims were preyed on with no chance of
escape.
A total of 1,254 victims have come forward to tell Durham
Police that they were physically or sexually abused in the 60s, 70s and
80s at Medomsley Detention Centre near Consett.
This
was where guard Neville Husband and accomplice Leslie Johnson were able
to commit sex attacks on vulnerable young men, many of whom were
briefly locked up for offences which would nowadays be dealt with by
community orders.
Both were jailed and have since died.
One trainee was sexually abused after having a bread knife
held to his throat, another was attacked after he stole marzipan and
icing from a store.
Husband and storeman Johnson's
offending led Durham Police to launch Operation Seabrook, a huge
investigation which has seen retired detectives brought back in to help
with the in-depth inquiry.
Medomsley closed in 1988 and detectives have traced ex-employees of the centre.
Officers
have spoke to 30 former prison officers, members of staff or governors.
Two of the 30 were arrested on suspicion of physical and sexual
assaults.
Detectives went to the newspaper offices of the Newcastle Chronicle to research stories from the past 50 years on Medomsley.
The
investigative phase has finished, and senior figures are in
consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and legal counsel about
bringing charges in 2016.
Detective Superintendent Paul
Goundry, who has led the two-year investigation, said recently: "The aim
is once this is finished it's finished forever, we have to do it right,
this investigation has to be meticulous."
Lawyer David
Greenwood, a specialist in the rights of survivors of sexual abuse, who
represents some of the Medomsley victims had no criticism of the police.
"The commitment shown by Paul Goundry and his officers has been really first class," he said.
"I think they are doing a tremendous job.
"The scale of the inquiry just demonstrates how badly things can go wrong with institutional failures.
"This
has not happened just at Medomsley, it can happen in local authorities,
churches, prisons and hospitals around the country."
Mr
Greenwood, who works for West Yorkshire firm Switalskis, welcomed the
fact that Medomsley would be included in the Goddard Inquiry, the
national, independent investigation into child abuse, led by Dame Lowell
Goddard QC.
He said: "Her inquiry has the power to get to the heart of allegations of collusion."
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2015, All Rights Reserved.
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