Friday 25 April 2014

More Medomsley Detention Centre abuse victims compensated

The Northern Echo: Photograph of the Author
By Gavin Engelbrecht

THE MINISTRY of Justice has agreed to pay damages to two more victims of sexual abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre – bringing the total in out-of-court settlements to more than £1m.

The awards are the latest in long-running civil actions for the abuses of prison officers against vulnerable young detainees at the Home Office-run detention centre near Consett, County Durham.

More than 550 victims of alleged sexual and physical abuse have come forward since Durham Police launched a renewed investigation into the centre last August.

A previous investigation led to the conviction of prison officer Neville Husband, who was jailed for ten years for sexually abusing several teenagers at Medomsley. Accomplice Leslie Johnson, a store man at the centre, was also jailed. They have both since died.

The centre closed in 1987, but later reopened as a secure training unit.

Solicitor David Greenwood, a specialist in the rights of survivors of sexual abuse, based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, represents 150 people who claim they were abused at Medomsley.

He confirmed damages had been agreed this week at Leeds County Court for two more victims of Husband. Their claims pre-date the latest police investigation.

Mr Greenwood said: “These settlements are welcome news for our deserving victims of abuse at Medomsley.

“It has been truly shocking to hear the accounts of these men who were boys at the time of the abuse.”

Mr Greenwood, of Switalskis Solicitors, said the firm had so far secured payments for up to 35 claimants– the highest individual awards being between £60,000 and  £70,000.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The outcome of the ongoing police investigation will be considered in due course. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

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Medomsley Detention Centre abuse victims compensated


Neville Husband 
 Neville Husband was jailed for 12 years in 2003 and has since died

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More than £1m has been paid out in out-of-court settlements to victims of sexual and physical abuse at a former detention centre, it has emerged.

An investigation into the unit at Medomsley, County Durham, began a year ago after a former inmate came forward.

Up to 500 people could have been abused there in the 1970s and 80s, say police.

Solicitors acting for some of the victims said the Ministry of Justice had so far made payments averaging £40,000 to more than 35 people.

Following an earlier investigation two men were jailed in 2003 and 2005.

Prison officer and church minister Neville Husband was sentenced to 12 years and Leslie Johnson, a storeman, was sentenced to six.

Both men have since died.

'Truly shocking'
 
The jury at Husband's trial at Newcastle Crown Court was told he used his position to handpick victims aged between 16 and 19, whom he would "blatantly" abuse.

He was found guilty of 10 counts of indecent assault and one of a serious sexual offence.

At the time of the trial, in 2003, he had become a minister in the United Reformed Church, following 27 years in the prison service.

Medomsley closed in 1988 after the abuse came to light, but later reopened as a secure training unit.
David Greenwood, a solicitor for the claimants, said: "These settlements are welcome news for victims of abuse at Medomsley.

"It has been truly shocking to hear the accounts of these men who were boys at the time of the abuse."
The Ministry of Justice has yet to comment on the latest development.

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