Letter from Senior Crown Proecutor CPS 01/08/2018
Wednesday, 1 August 2018
11 men being investigated over Medomsley abuse claims to face no further action
The men had been under investigation as part of Operation Seabrook involving allegations of abuse at the former detention centre
Det Supt Adrian Green, senior investigating officer for Operation Griffin at Durham Police HQ
Eleven men under investigation following allegations of abuse at a former detention centre will face no further action, police have confirmed.
The men were being investigated as part of Operation Seabrook – Durham Constabulary’s long-running investigation into allegations of abuse at the controversial former Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett.
Police say that due to lack of evidence available following an extensive investigation and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
However, a further six men remain under investigation for physical and sexual abuse offences. They are all former prison officers.
Seven former prison officers who have been charged with abusing young men at the centre are due to go on trial.
Christopher Onslow, 72, denies charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences. His trial will be held in September.
John McGee, 74, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 71, and Neil Sowerby, 61, also deny charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences. They will go on trial in November.
David McClure, 62, Alan Bramley, 69, and Kevin Blakely, 66, face charges of misconduct in public office and physical abuse only. They have all denied the charges and will appear at court in January for trial.
Operation Seabrook was launched in August 2013 and is one of the largest investigations of its kind in the UK.
So far, more than 1,630 men have contacted the Operation Seabrook team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley from the 1960s to when the centre closed in 1988.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Green, said:
“Operation Seabrook has now entered its sixth year. It continues to be a long and complex investigation and one which we, and the CPS, remain committed in moving forward.
“I would like to reassure victims and survivors that they are at the heart of everything we do.
Professional support has been offered to anyone who needs help.
“Anyone who believes they are a victim and has not already contacted the police should call us on 101 or email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk”.
Source
Eleven men under investigation following allegations of abuse at a former detention centre will face no further action, police have confirmed.
The men were being investigated as part of Operation Seabrook – Durham Constabulary’s long-running investigation into allegations of abuse at the controversial former Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett.
Police say that due to lack of evidence available following an extensive investigation and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
However, a further six men remain under investigation for physical and sexual abuse offences. They are all former prison officers.
Seven former prison officers who have been charged with abusing young men at the centre are due to go on trial.
Christopher Onslow, 72, denies charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences. His trial will be held in September.
John McGee, 74, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 71, and Neil Sowerby, 61, also deny charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences. They will go on trial in November.
David McClure, 62, Alan Bramley, 69, and Kevin Blakely, 66, face charges of misconduct in public office and physical abuse only. They have all denied the charges and will appear at court in January for trial.
Operation Seabrook was launched in August 2013 and is one of the largest investigations of its kind in the UK.
So far, more than 1,630 men have contacted the Operation Seabrook team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley from the 1960s to when the centre closed in 1988.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Green, said:
“Operation Seabrook has now entered its sixth year. It continues to be a long and complex investigation and one which we, and the CPS, remain committed in moving forward.
“I would like to reassure victims and survivors that they are at the heart of everything we do.
Professional support has been offered to anyone who needs help.
“Anyone who believes they are a victim and has not already contacted the police should call us on 101 or email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk”.
Source
Medomsley Inquiry: 11 men face no further action, six remain under investigation
ELEVEN men who were under investigation following allegations of abuse at a former detention centre are to face no further action.
MEDOMSLEY: ELEVEN men who were under investigation following
allegations of abuse at a former Medomsley detention centre are to face
no further action
Following an extensive police investigation, and after consulting with
the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the 11 men will face no further
action as, due to the evidence available, there was no realistic
prospect of conviction.
A further six men will remain under investigation for physical and sexual abuse offences. They are all former prison officers.
Seven former prison officers who have been charged with abusing young men at the centre are due to go on trial.
Christopher Onslow, 72, denies charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences. His trial will be held in September.
John McGee, 74, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 71, and Neil Sowerby, 61, also deny charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences. They will go on trial in November.
David McClure, 62, Alan Bramley, 69, and Kevin Blakely, 66, face charges of misconduct in public office and physical abuse only. They have all denied the charges and will appear at court in January for trial.
Operation Seabrook was launched in August 2013 and is one of the largest investigations of its kind in the UK.
So far, more than 1,630 men have contacted the Operation Seabrook team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley from the 1960s to when the centre closed in 1988.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Green, said: “Operation Seabrook has now entered its sixth year. It continues to be a long and complex investigation and one which we, and the CPS, remain committed in moving forward.”
He added:“I would like to reassure victims and survivors that they are at the heart of everything we do. Professional support has been offered to anyone who needs help.
“Anyone who believes they are a victim and has not already contacted the police should call us on 101 or email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk”
A further six men will remain under investigation for physical and sexual abuse offences. They are all former prison officers.
Seven former prison officers who have been charged with abusing young men at the centre are due to go on trial.
Christopher Onslow, 72, denies charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences. His trial will be held in September.
John McGee, 74, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 71, and Neil Sowerby, 61, also deny charges of misconduct in a public office, physical abuse and sexual offences. They will go on trial in November.
David McClure, 62, Alan Bramley, 69, and Kevin Blakely, 66, face charges of misconduct in public office and physical abuse only. They have all denied the charges and will appear at court in January for trial.
Operation Seabrook was launched in August 2013 and is one of the largest investigations of its kind in the UK.
So far, more than 1,630 men have contacted the Operation Seabrook team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley from the 1960s to when the centre closed in 1988.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Green, said: “Operation Seabrook has now entered its sixth year. It continues to be a long and complex investigation and one which we, and the CPS, remain committed in moving forward.”
He added:“I would like to reassure victims and survivors that they are at the heart of everything we do. Professional support has been offered to anyone who needs help.
“Anyone who believes they are a victim and has not already contacted the police should call us on 101 or email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk”
Medomsley Detention Centre abuse probe: 11 men face no further action
More than 1,630 men have alleged they were victims of physical or sexual abuse at Medomsley
Eleven men who were being
investigated following allegations of abuse at a former detention centre
are to face no further action.
After consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), it was decided there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
A further six men - all former prison officers - remain under investigation.
Additionally, seven former prison officers who have been charged with abusing young men at the centre are due to go on trial at Teesside Crown Court from September.
The seven defendants have denied all the charges against them.
Nearly 1,400 men have claimed they were abused at Medomsley, which prior to its closure in 1988 held teenage offenders who had committed relatively minor crimes.
Source
Wednesday, 25 July 2018
Ex-inmate calls for inquiry into alleged abuse at UK detention centre
Home secretary told current inquiry won’t hear Medomsley evidence because of age cut-off
The home secretary, Sajid Javid, was told the independent inquiry into
child sexual abuse had failed alleged abuse victims of Medomsley
detention centre.
Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA
Former inmates of a detention centre who claim they were sexually or physically abused have asked the home secretary, Sajid Javid, for their own public inquiry.
John McCabe, a former inmate of Medomsley detention centre, recently told Javid in a private meeting at the House of Commons that the victims he represented had been failed by the ongoing independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA).
Because the cut-off point for victims is 18 at the public inquiry, evidence will not be heard from those who were aged between 18 and 21 when they say they were abused, even though the age of homosexual consent was 21 at the time.
In November 2017 seven former members of staff, aged between 61 and 74, were charged with abuse and misconduct.
The inquiry recently concluded a two-week investigation into the abuse of children in custodial institutions but McCabe is frustrated at the exclusion of older victims. Meanwhile, the investigation into Medomsley has been delayed by legal proceedings.
The inquiry, established to examine how the country’s institutions handled their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse, has been marred in controversy since it was announced in 2014 by the then home secretary Theresa May. In 2016, Dame Lowell Goddard became the third chair to resign, saying the inquiry’s remit was too complex, too broad and went back too far (60 years).
McCabe told the home secretary that the victims of Medomsley will have been denied justice if they were not granted their own public inquiry at the end of the criminal prosecutions. “According to the terms of the IICSA inquiry, they were not children at the time they were abused. Yet we were sent to Medomsley rather than prison because we were young and vulnerable. For the victims who have been excluded from giving evidence, it is like being abused all over again.”
McCabe said IICSA was an inappropriate forum for detention centre victims to be heard because it was only examining sexual abuse. “This means that those people who suffered physical abuse will not get the opportunity to give evidence,” he said.
“The victims were in the care of the state when they were abused. The state failed in its duty of care then. I asked the home secretary to exercise that duty of care now by ordering a separate public inquiry.”
Laura Pidcock, the MP for North West Durham and shadow minister for Labour, attended the meeting with McCabe and Javid. “It is important that the current criminal proceedings continue unimpeded,” she said. “But it is also right that a separate, thorough-going, public inquiry is granted for Medomsley once these criminal processes are concluded.”
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “IICSA is independent of government and it is for the chair and panel to determine the scope of its investigations within its terms of reference.”
HOME Secretary Sajid Javid today visited Durham Constabulary to see how the force is tackling a number of key policing issues.
Mr Javid travelled to the force’s Aykley Heads headquarters where he was met by Deputy Chief Constable Jo Farrell and Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg.
The Home Secretary was shown how Durham - the top performing force in the country - is preventing cybercrime and tackling serious and organised crime, and met a number of frontline officers.
He was also introduced to officers, navigators and service users on the Checkpoint scheme, which aims to reduce the number of victims of crime by reducing reoffending.
It offers those charged with offences usually dealt with by magistrates the chance to avoid a criminal conviction by making amends to the community and their victims.
Deputy Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “I am delighted that we have been able to share some of our innovative work with the Home Secretary and highlight where gaps in legislation are exploited by organised criminals.”
Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner Ron Hogg said: “I was pleased to welcome the Home Secretary to Durham today, and to talk about the innovative work that is happening to reduce reoffending and support vulnerable people.
“I also raised concerns about the reduction in resources in the past few years, and the pressure that this is putting on officers, and I asked for Government departments to work together more closely to make it easier to reduce reoffending.”
Former inmates of a detention centre who claim they were sexually or physically abused have asked the home secretary, Sajid Javid, for their own public inquiry.
John McCabe, a former inmate of Medomsley detention centre, recently told Javid in a private meeting at the House of Commons that the victims he represented had been failed by the ongoing independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA).
Because the cut-off point for victims is 18 at the public inquiry, evidence will not be heard from those who were aged between 18 and 21 when they say they were abused, even though the age of homosexual consent was 21 at the time.
In November 2017 seven former members of staff, aged between 61 and 74, were charged with abuse and misconduct.
The inquiry recently concluded a two-week investigation into the abuse of children in custodial institutions but McCabe is frustrated at the exclusion of older victims. Meanwhile, the investigation into Medomsley has been delayed by legal proceedings.
The inquiry, established to examine how the country’s institutions handled their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse, has been marred in controversy since it was announced in 2014 by the then home secretary Theresa May. In 2016, Dame Lowell Goddard became the third chair to resign, saying the inquiry’s remit was too complex, too broad and went back too far (60 years).
McCabe told the home secretary that the victims of Medomsley will have been denied justice if they were not granted their own public inquiry at the end of the criminal prosecutions. “According to the terms of the IICSA inquiry, they were not children at the time they were abused. Yet we were sent to Medomsley rather than prison because we were young and vulnerable. For the victims who have been excluded from giving evidence, it is like being abused all over again.”
McCabe said IICSA was an inappropriate forum for detention centre victims to be heard because it was only examining sexual abuse. “This means that those people who suffered physical abuse will not get the opportunity to give evidence,” he said.
“The victims were in the care of the state when they were abused. The state failed in its duty of care then. I asked the home secretary to exercise that duty of care now by ordering a separate public inquiry.”
Laura Pidcock, the MP for North West Durham and shadow minister for Labour, attended the meeting with McCabe and Javid. “It is important that the current criminal proceedings continue unimpeded,” she said. “But it is also right that a separate, thorough-going, public inquiry is granted for Medomsley once these criminal processes are concluded.”
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “IICSA is independent of government and it is for the chair and panel to determine the scope of its investigations within its terms of reference.”
Home Secretary visits Durham
PCVC Ron Hogg and Deputy Chief Constable Jo Farrell welcome Home Secretary Sajid Javed to Durham
HOME Secretary Sajid Javid today visited Durham Constabulary to see how the force is tackling a number of key policing issues.
Mr Javid travelled to the force’s Aykley Heads headquarters where he was met by Deputy Chief Constable Jo Farrell and Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg.
The Home Secretary was shown how Durham - the top performing force in the country - is preventing cybercrime and tackling serious and organised crime, and met a number of frontline officers.
He was also introduced to officers, navigators and service users on the Checkpoint scheme, which aims to reduce the number of victims of crime by reducing reoffending.
It offers those charged with offences usually dealt with by magistrates the chance to avoid a criminal conviction by making amends to the community and their victims.
Deputy Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “I am delighted that we have been able to share some of our innovative work with the Home Secretary and highlight where gaps in legislation are exploited by organised criminals.”
Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner Ron Hogg said: “I was pleased to welcome the Home Secretary to Durham today, and to talk about the innovative work that is happening to reduce reoffending and support vulnerable people.
“I also raised concerns about the reduction in resources in the past few years, and the pressure that this is putting on officers, and I asked for Government departments to work together more closely to make it easier to reduce reoffending.”
Posted on Monday 23rd July 2018
Reposted here on 28th July 2018
Saturday, 30 June 2018
Medomsley detention centre: Former officers deny abuse
Seven former officers have denied abusing teenagers at a youth detention centre during the 1970s and 1980s.
All are charged with physical abuse and misconduct in a public office, and four are also accused of sex offences.
Appearing at Teesside Crown Court, they pleaded not guilty and were bailed to return for three trials, with the first due to start on 3 September.
They are:
- Kevin Blakey, 65, two counts of misconduct, two counts of wounding, and two of assault
- Alan Bramley, 69, misconduct, wounding, and two counts of assault
- Johnson Brian Greenwell, 70, misconduct, serious sexual assault, false imprisonment, and two counts of assault
- David McClure, 62, misconduct, wounding, and four counts of assault
- John McGee, 73, misconduct, four counts of assault, two counts of indecent assault, serious sexual assault, and wounding
- Christopher Onslow, 71, two counts of misconduct, two of serious sexual assault, two counts of wounding, two counts of wounding with intent, three counts of assault, and one of indecent assault
- Neil Sowerby, 60, misconduct, three counts of serious sexual assault, two counts of assault and four counts of indecent assault
The seven defendants deny all the charges against them.
Source
Friday, 29 June 2018
Ex prison officers in court charged with abusing teenage inmates in 70s and 80s
SEVEN former prison officers who worked at a detention centre appeared in court today charged with abusing teenage inmates in the 1970s and 1980s.
The ex-staff members of Medomsley Detention Centre in Consett, County Durham, were at Teesside Crown Court for a legal arguments during an administrative hearing, which was attended by some of the alleged victims.
All of the accused - who are now all in their 60s and 70s - denied all
the allegations they face, and dates for their trials have already been
set.
The charges are the result of one of the country's biggest inquiries into claims of sexual and physical abuse - Operation Seabrook, which was launched in August 2013.
All the former prison officers are charged with misconduct in a public office and physical abuse. Four of them are also charged with sex offences.
The defendants are:
• Kevin Blakey, 66, charged with two counts of misconduct, two counts of wounding and two of assault.
• Alan Bramley, 69, charged with misconduct, wounding and three counts of assault.
• Brian Johnson Greenwell, 70, charged with misconduct, false imprisonment, two counts of assault and a further count of committing a serious sexual offence.
• David McClure, 62, charged with misconduct, wounding and three counts of assault.
• John McGee, 74, charged with misconduct, four counts of assault, two counts of indecent assault, wounding and a further count of committing a serious sexual offence.
• Christopher Onslow, 72, charged with two counts of misconduct, two of a serious sexual offence, two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm, two counts of wounding with intent, three counts of assault and one of indecent assault.
• Neil Sowerby, 61, charged with misconduct, two counts of assault, four counts of indecent assault and three counts of committing a serious sexual offence.
Their addresses cannot be reported for legal reasons, and none of the alleged victims can be identified.
Mr Onslow's trial will be held in September; that of Mr McGee, Mr Sowerby and Mr Greenwell will be in November; and Mr McClure, Mr Bramley and Mr Blakey will be back in court for their trial next January.
The charges are the result of one of the country's biggest inquiries into claims of sexual and physical abuse - Operation Seabrook, which was launched in August 2013.
All the former prison officers are charged with misconduct in a public office and physical abuse. Four of them are also charged with sex offences.
The defendants are:
• Kevin Blakey, 66, charged with two counts of misconduct, two counts of wounding and two of assault.
• Alan Bramley, 69, charged with misconduct, wounding and three counts of assault.
• Brian Johnson Greenwell, 70, charged with misconduct, false imprisonment, two counts of assault and a further count of committing a serious sexual offence.
• David McClure, 62, charged with misconduct, wounding and three counts of assault.
• John McGee, 74, charged with misconduct, four counts of assault, two counts of indecent assault, wounding and a further count of committing a serious sexual offence.
• Christopher Onslow, 72, charged with two counts of misconduct, two of a serious sexual offence, two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm, two counts of wounding with intent, three counts of assault and one of indecent assault.
• Neil Sowerby, 61, charged with misconduct, two counts of assault, four counts of indecent assault and three counts of committing a serious sexual offence.
Their addresses cannot be reported for legal reasons, and none of the alleged victims can be identified.
Mr Onslow's trial will be held in September; that of Mr McGee, Mr Sowerby and Mr Greenwell will be in November; and Mr McClure, Mr Bramley and Mr Blakey will be back in court for their trial next January.
Source
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