Wednesday 14 August 2013

Detention centre paedophile ring inquiry: Second rape victim speaks of systematic torture in borstal

By Ben Rossington 

Detention centre paedophile ring inquiry: Second rape victim speaks of systematic torture in borstal 15 Aug 2013 00:00 He said his humiliation included being bound by the neck and being photographed as he was routinely attacked Complaint: Kevin Young spoke of horrors Complaint: Kevin Young spoke of horrors Paul Kingston / North News
A second victim of a suspected borstal paedophile ring accused his attackers of torture yesterday. And Kevin Young, now 53, says he reported the sex attacks but was ignored. Kevin said: “The treatment we received was nothing short of torture in its truest form. "A uniformed person while in charge of others carrying out acts of degrading physical and mental torture.” Kevin said his humiliation included being bound by the neck and being photographed as he was routinely attacked. The Mirror yesterday revealed how his and other claims of violent paedophile prison officers raping young boys at the Medomsley Detention Centre are under investigation after an alleged cover-up. After pushing for an inquiry for 20 years, Kevin welcomed the police’s new probe but was wary because his complaints were rejected. He was sent to the County Durham detention centre in 1977 aged 17 after being caught with a stolen watch. He said: “The judge said he was sending me to Medomsley where my character would be improved. "I would come out a better, stronger, law-abiding citizen. Within days of arriving I was being seriously raped and assaulted. “I was put into a sick bay where I was locked up and my neck ligatured. It was three months of absolute hell.” “This was torture day in day out. The victims are being silenced. People have been left so shredded there is nothing left. “They are just shadows, nothing more.” Police fear hundreds of young men were assaulted at the centre in the 70s and 80s. At least four other prison officers were involved, along with individuals outside the centre, they suspect. Kevin said he suffered at the hands of seven abusers, including prison officer Neville Husband who was jailed for 12 years for the mass rape of boys in his care.

Paedophile Neville Husband Monster: Neville Husband
















Originally from South Shields but now living in York, Kevin was released in June 1977, the day before his 18th birthday. He ran straight from the home to Consett Police Station station but says he was threatened with arrest for making his allegations of being strangled, bound and raped every day by a ring of officers. A police officer is believed to have covered-up the complaint after Kevin’s paperwork was destroyed. Waiving his right to anonymity yesterday, Kevin said: “I didn’t want to be referred to as Mr A or Mr B. I’m Kevin Young. "This is what went on and it was covered up.” East Kilbride MP Michael McCann has pushed for the case to be re-opened after his constituent John McCabe, who said he was raped by Husband, told him how his bid for justice hit a dead end. Mr McCann said: “We both know young men attempted to report abuse 30 years ago but were let down by the authorities. “That will not happen this time.”
















 John McCabe Brave: John McCabe suffered horrific abuse Stuart Nicol Only Husband and storeman Lesley Johnson were jailed for abuse. Both men are now dead. The authorities believe many more attackers remain at large. Around 26 victims are thought to have come forward. Some have already been awarded damages without an apology by the Ministry of Justice. Mr McCabe said: “I urge others to come forward and help police build a case. Please don’t suffer in silence.” Det Supt Paul Goundry, in charge of Durham Police child protection, said: “Every avenue will be explored and we’ll do our utmost to bring perpetrators to justice. "If there were officers who ignored evidence at Medomsley then they will be traced and investigated too. “You’ll be dealt with sensitively by a trained professional.” Anyone with information should contact Durham Police about the investigation on 101.

Source Daily Mirror

Investigation into a former youth detention centre

Detectives have launched a new investigation into a former youth detention centre in County Durham amid allegations that hundreds of young inmates may have been systematically abused there in the 1970s and 80s.



Appeal for information relating to historic abuse case
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundy, Durham Police.

Investigation into former youth detention centre

Detectives have launched a new investigation into a former youth detention centre in County Durham amid allegations that hundreds of young inmates may have been systematically abused there in the 1970s and 80s.
Two men have already been convicted of abusing teenagers at the Medomsley Detention Centre, which has now been demolished.
Former prison officer Neville Husband was jailed in 2003 for abusing boys in his care. A store man at the borstal was also jailed.
But police suspect other people may have been involved and that there might be many more victims. They are appealing for anyone with new information to come forward.

Source ITV News

Medomsley Detention Centre abuse investigation reopens



The former Medomsley Detention Centre  
The detention centre closed in the late 1980s

Related Stories

Police have reopened a 10-year-old investigation into sexual abuse at a former County Durham detention centre, which saw two staff jailed.
Church minister Neville Husband, who worked at Medomsley juvenile detention centre as a prison officer and store man Leslie Johnson were jailed in 2003.
The pair, both now dead, were convicted of sexually abusing inmates.
Durham Police has now reopened the investigation after a former inmate claimed he was also abused.
John McCabe, from East Kilbride in Scotland, who has waived his right to anonymity, said he was also a victim of Husband at the now-closed institution.
Mr McCabe said the abuse took place 30 years ago when Husband recruited him to work in the kitchen, and that he also took him out of Medomsley, where he was raped by another man.
'Vulnerable young people' Durham detectives are now reinvestigating the claims and have appealed for any other abuse victims to come forward.
Det Supt Paul Goundry said: "The investigation will put victims at the heart of the inquiry, but at the same time we would like to hear from anyone who has new information about Medomsley and any abuse that occurred either inside, or when inmates were taken off-site.
"Those who carried out the abuse preyed on some very vulnerable young people and left many of them with mental scars which have lasted a lifetime.
Neville Husband Neville Husband was jailed for abusing male inmates in 2003
"While we contacted and took statements from a number of victims as part of this investigation, we believe there are others who for whatever reason have never come forward.
"It is those people we are now asking to contact us and pass on any information about what took place during their time at Medomsley, whether it happened at the centre or elsewhere."
Medomsley closed in the late 1980s after the abuse came to light and has since reopened as a secure training centre.
During his 2003 trial, Newcastle Crown Court heard Husband, who became a minister in the United Reformed Church after 27 years in the prison service, had used his position of authority to systematically abuse his victims between 1974 and 1984.
The male inmates, who were aged between 16 and 19 at the time, had been picked by Husband to work in the kitchens, where he would sometimes "blatantly" indecently assault them or take them away for abuse in secret.
He was jailed for 12 years. Johnson was sentenced to six years at a separate trial.
Source BBC News

'I was raped by Borstal officers every single day aged 17 and I wasn't the only one': Sex abuse inquiry launched into claims that teenage boys were assaulted after 'police cover-up'

  • John McCabe has waived his anonymity and spoken of his horrifying abuse
  • At 17 he was sexually assaulted at Medomsley Detention Centre, Durham
  • Hundreds more boys may have been attacked in 1970s and 1980s 
  • Two men were convicted of sex crimes but there were allegedly several more
  • Police are appealing for victims to come forward and speak to them
By Martin Robinson
|

Brave: Victim of abuse John McCabe has successfully campaigned for a new police investigation into sex crimes at a Durham borstal
Brave: Victim of abuse John McCabe has successfully campaigned for a new police investigation into sex crimes at a Durham borstal
A borstal boy who was among hundreds abused by a paedophile ring in prison while police allegedly turned a blind eye has won a campaign to have the case re-opened.
John McCabe was sexually assaulted at 17 at the Medomsley Detention Centre, County Durham, by members of a gang he said raped him 'every single day'.
Police have re-launched their investigation after complaints were ignored, amid claims many boys were systematically abused by 'agents of the state' in the 1970s and 1980s.
Two prison officers were jailed after a 2003 investigation, Lesley Johnson for six years and warden Neville Husband for 12 years. It was Husband who abused Mr McCabe.
But at least four other staff were said to be involved and in one case a victim allegedly spoke to police about being abused in the 1970s and was told to 'f*** off' or he’d be sent back to prison.
Mr McCabe, who suffered six months of attacks and has waived his right to anonymity to tell his story, told the Daily Mirror: 'I was asked to work in the kitchens. That’s where I met him (Husband). He told me if I didn’t do what he wanted he’d kill me and nobody would care.
‘I thought I was the only boy he abused. Now I know there were more. A lot more. And it wasn’t just him.
'I’m fighting for justice for those boys, for myself. Too many people have got away with this for far too long.'
John went to the police in 2009 after Husband was released, but the Crown Prosecution Service took no action, leaving him 'devastated'.
Shame: Boys were abused at the Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett, County Durham, in the 1970s and 1980s
Shame: Boys were abused at the Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett, County Durham, in the 1970s and 1980s
His local MP, Michael McCann, Labour's representative in East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, has helped his constituent with the campaign.
He told MailOnline: 'John and I have carried this on and want to help in any way we can.
'If anyone has any information about abuse inside the detention centre or outside we would like them to tell the police.
 
'We know there were two convicted but we know there were others who carried out abuse and were never brought to justice.
'John has been incredibly brave in talking about what happened to him and I hope that it will inspire bravery in others.
'There were people who were abused by agents of the state and when they tried to get help it was refused. I don't believe that will happen now'.
Paedophile Neville Husband was jailed for 8 years on sex abuse charges dating back over thirty years
Michael McCann MP is helping with the campaign for justice as he says more men were involved
Paedophile: Prison guard Neville Husband (left) was jailed for 8 years for his abuse, but Michael McCann MP (right) is helping with the new campaign for justice as he says more men were involved
Police are appealing for any victims to come forward.
Det Supt Paul Goundry, head of safeguarding for Durham Constabulary said: 'Neville Husband preyed on some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our society and left many of them with mental scars which have lasted a lifetime.
'While we contacted and took statements from a number of victims as part of this investigation, we believe there are others who for whatever reason have never come forward. It is those people we are now asking to contact us and pass on any information about what took place during their time at Medomsley, whether it happened at the centre or off-site.
I can assure them we have experienced officers on hand to talk to them and they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.
'What happened at Medomsley was organised abuse on a large scale and we are committed to ensuring every victim feels they have had the opportunity to speak. Throughout our enquiries we will be in constant touch with the CPS who will ultimately advise on whether there are grounds to bring criminal charges.
'John has shown great bravery in giving up his right to anonymity and talking about the abuse he suffered. I hope that by doing so he will encourage others to come forward and pass on any information they have.'
Anyone with information should dial 101 and ask for Durham Constabulary.

Source Daily Mail

Detention centre paedophile ring inquiry: Claims prison officers routinely raped HUNDREDS of boys

14 Aug 2013 00:00
Senior officers have launched a major inquiry into the horrific sex abuse after complaints were ignored or dropped
Victim: John McCabe sufferd horrific abuse
Victim: John McCabe sufferd horrific abuse
Stuart Nicol
Claims a ring of violent paedophile prison officers routinely raped hundreds of teenage boys in a borstal are finally being investigated – after an alleged police cover-up.
Senior officers have launched a major inquiry into the horrific sex abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre, County Durham, after complaints were ignored by police or dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
One brave victim, who has waived his right to anonymity, said: “I was raped every single day.”
John McCabe was abused, aged 17, for six months by prison officer Neville Husband.
He said: “I was asked to work in the kitchens. That’s where I met him.
"He told me if I didn’t do what he wanted he’d kill me and nobody would care.
“I thought I was the only boy he abused. Now I know there were more. A lot more. And it wasn’t just him.”
John, of East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, added: “I’m fighting for justice for those boys, for myself.
"Too many people have got away with this for far too long.”
Police fear hundreds of young men were assaulted while serving sentences at Medomsley in the 70s and 80s.
Husband was jailed for 12 years at Newcastle crown court for mass rape of boys in his care.
Storeman Lesley Johnson was jailed for six years. Both men are now dead.
Victims say the 2003 probe into Husband did not go far enough and that he was part of a ring of officers involved in systematic abuse.
At least four other prison officers were involved, along with individuals outside the centre, police suspect.
And a police officer is believed to have covered up allegations after one victim walked into Consett Police Station in 1977 to make a statement about abuse.
His claims were ignored and the paperwork for his statement has been destroyed.
The missed chance meant the ring could continue to abuse inmates for years.
Paedophile Neville Husband
Monster: Prison officer Neville Husband
North News & Pictures
John contacted Durham Police in 2009 – after his attacker was released from jail – to say he was also a victim.
But after a police investigation the Crown Prosecution Service took no further action against Husband, saying it was not in the public interest.
John said: “I was devastated.”
But after he contacted his MP police have now opened up the probe.
Det Supt Paul Goundry, in charge of Durham Police child protection, said: “Every avenue will be explored and we’ll do our utmost to bring perpetrators to justice.
"If there were officers who ignored evidence about a paedophile ring at Medomsley then they will be traced and investigated too.”
Some alleged victims have told police they were taken off-site on the pretence of extra curricular activities.
They claim they were dragged into a private room where they were ­blindfolded and raped by their captors.
And it is alleged that at times there were up to five men present.
Police are now hunting what they believe was a large group of sexual predators who preyed on the vulnerable young men at the prison for nearly 15 years. And John is giving his full backing to police.
He said: “After meeting the authorities I’m completely confident they will carry out a full investigation into what happened at Medomsley because they are now convinced Husband and Johnson were not acting alone.
"They are now taking seriously the claims that rapes and other abuse took place in a number of locations, which until now had not been identified.
“I would urge any former victims to come forward and help police build a case against those evil savages who did this. Please don’t suffer in silence.”
John explained how, if it was not for his MP in Scotland, the case may never have been examined.
He said: “I was really down and my last hope for justice was to approach my local MP, Michael McCann, who’d been a classmate back in East Kilbride.
“Thankfully Michael gave me his full support and with his help I went to the police again. After he campaigned, the case was re-opened.”
Medomsley Detention Centre
Scene: Medomsley Detention Centre
North News / NNP
Michael, a senior Labour MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, said: “John and I want to support the Durham Police investigation and call upon anyone who has knowledge of the abuse that took place either inside or outside Medomsley Detention Centre to come forward and tell their story.
“We both know young men attempted to report abuse 30 years ago but were let down by the authorities.
“That will not happen this time and I hope that John McCabe’s bravery in revealing his story will encourage others to come forward.
"Young men like John were detained by the State and then they were abused by agents of the State and others inside and outside Medomsley.
“Only Neville Husband and Lesley Johnson were convicted. The others, and there were others, are still at liberty.
“They must be caught, prosecuted and send to jail for their heinous crimes.”
There are thought to be around 26 victims who have come forward.
Some have been awarded damages by the Ministry of Justice after a civil trial and a case is being pursued in John’s name.
When the Medomsley victims sought compensation after Husband’s conviction, the Home Office used the statute of limitations to avoid payment.
Eventually in 2009 it paid out £512,000 to 12 men, but there are still cases which are waiting to be settled.
But the victims of Medomsley have never received an apology.
When Stephen Byers, then MP for some of the victims, wrote to then Justice Minister, Jack Straw, in 2010, Mr Straw replied: “The terms of the agreement did not include an apology.”
Det Supt Goundry appealed for more victims to speak out.
He said: “What we need now is people to come forward. Anyone who knows anything about what went on at Medomsley.
“You’ll be dealt with sensitively by a trained professional.”
“We believe other victims, for whatever reason, have never come forward.
"It is those people we are now asking to contact us and pass on any information about what took place during their time at Medomsley, at the centre or off-site.
“John has shown great bravery in giving up his right to anonymity and talking about the abuse he suffered.
“I hope he will encourage others to come forward.”
Anyone with information should contact Durham Constabulary on 101.

 

Evil officer’s threat to kill if I said, ‘No’

Borstal rape victim John McCabe ended up in Medomsley Detention Centre in 1983 after snatching two rings from a pawn shop in Scarborough.
It was during his nine-month sentence he met prison officer Neville Husband who chose John to work with him in the kitchens. Now married with three children, health and safety officer John said: “A few days in, he rubbed himself up against me and I pulled away.”
The next day, Husband cornered the 17-year-old boy and held a knife to his throat. John added: “He said if I refused him again, it would be easy to take me out of the centre and kill me, or for me to be found hanged in my cell.”
The first rape happened a few days later.
“He got me alone in the kitchen and grabbed me by the throat,” said John. “I was passing out and he groped me. He was just too big and too strong to fight off.”
The abuse continued both in jail and off the premises – sometimes with another man present. A man who has never been brought to justice.
John was so depressed he stopped writing to his mum who became worried and called the prison. But evil Husband made John phone and reassure her.
Six months into his sentence, a change in the law meant time served on remand was taken into account and John was released.
He said: “I was terrified – convinced Husband would stop me getting out. A guard said he was taking me to the train station.
“I broke a glass to use as a weapon if he turned up. I paced up and down carriages all the way to Glasgow, expecting to find him.”
John tried to block the abuse from his mind – until one day in 2009 when he saw a news report that Husband had been released from prison.
That is when he went to police to report the rapes.