SEVEN men are to appear in court following one of the country's biggest inquiries into sexual and physical abuse.

Police said they are "very confident" more former staff members of a detention centre will face prosecution for allegedly preying on teenage inmates. 

The men who worked at Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett, County Durham, have been summonsed to appear before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on December 19. 

Christopher Onslow, 71, John McGee, 73, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 70, and Neil Sowerby, 61, will answer charges of misconduct in public office, physical abuse and sexual offences.

David McClure, 62, Alan Bramley, 69, and Kevin Blakely, 65, will face charges of misconduct in public office and physical abuse charges only. 

The investigation – named Operation Seabrook – was launched in August 2013 and is one of the largest of its kind in the UK.

So far, more than 1,480 men have contacted the team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley from the 1960s to when the centre closed in 1988.

Teenage inmates at the young offenders' centre typically spent six to eight weeks at the Home Office-run facility before being released.

Such offending would now typically be dealt with by community punishment. 

The centre gained national notoriety when guard Neville Husband and accomplice Leslie Johnson were jailed for a reign of terror which saw them commit sex acts on vulnerable young men. Both have since died. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Green, who is leading the investigation, said the "long and complex" investigation was one of the biggest of its kind in the country.

He said: “Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in what has been, and continues to be, a long and complex investigation.

“Inquiries do not stop here – the Operation Seabrook team and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) remain committed in continuing to move the investigation forward.

“In February this year, we submitted 32 files to the CPS for charging decisions. A number of people are still under investigation so we do not rule out further charges in the future."

He added: "There are more suspects that we are investigating and as the weight of evidence develops and our identification improves of those individuals, I am very confident that more people will face prosecution in the future, in the future and through next year.

"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."

Speaking of the investigation, Det Chief Supt Green said: "Operation Seabrook was launched in August 2013. There have been investigations and indeed prosecutions before that time and individuals have been convicted previously.

"So far 1,480 people have come forward. That has meant a huge team of officers has had to be put in place and it has been extremely complicated in terms of identification etc. Decades have passed. 

"We have also had to reassure and garner the support and the trust of those individuals who have gone through a traumatic experience. And while they may be historic incidents the distress and harm that was caused back then lives with them every day." 

North West Durham Labour MP Laura Pidcock said: "Medomsley Detention Centre was located within my constituency of North West Durham and there have previously been two criminal convictions against perpetrators of abuse against young men at the centre. 

"This continues to be a long and complex investigation and the Operation Seabrook team and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are not ruling out further charges in the future.

"For the moment, my thoughts are with the survivors and their families, at what will be a very difficult time. Professional support will be offered to anyone who needs help."

If you believes they are a victim should contact Durham Police on 101 or email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk.