A leading detective has spoken of the complexity and impact of its longest running investigation into institutional sexual and violent abuse.
A number of former staff member at Medomsley Detention Centre, in Consett, have been jailed for their role in a brutal regime that inflicted pain and fear onto young inmates from the late 60s up into the 80s when it was closed down.
The final prosecution has finished at Teesside Crown Court where the jury found that Alexander Flavell had committed the acts of misconduct in a public office and one charge of indecent assault.
The 89-year-old, who had been deemed unfit to stand trial, was cleared of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, buggery and indecent assault. They could not reach a verdict on one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Read more: Guilty: Ex-prison guard did sexually assault inmate at Medomsley Detention Centre
The jury found him not guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, buggery and indecent assault. They could not reach a verdict on one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The trial marks the end of Operation Seabrook - Durham Constabulary’s long-running investigation into allegations of abuse at the former detention centre, which closed in 1988.
Having begun in August 2013, the investigation is now one of the largest of its kind in the UK, with more than 2,000 victims and survivors having come forward to police to report allegations of abuse while detained at the centre.
Speaking after the conclusion of the final trial in the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ashton, spoke of its impact.
He said: “The investigation into the abuse which occurred inside Medomsley Detention Centre in the 1960s, 70s and 80s highlights shocking and cruel treatment which many young people suffered whilst being detained there.
“This has been an incredibly long and complex investigation, spanning almost ten years with a number of investigations which took place prior to that, resulting in the conviction of Neville Husband.
“These investigations have been important in reflecting not only the scale of abuse that occurred at Medomsley Detention Centre but also the courage which the victims of abuse have shown in coming forward.
“In listening to survivors, it has been clear that as young people, they suffered some horrendous forms of abuse, committed by people around them who were in positions of authority and this never should have happened.
“A team of committed and dedicated investigators have worked hard to investigate all reported incidents of abuse and gather evidence to present in court during four separate crown court trials.
“We encourage anyone who has suffered such abuse to report the matter to the police or seek appropriate professional support.”
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In 2019, five former prison officers – Christopher Onslow, John McGee, Alan Bramley, Kevin Blakeley and Brian Johnson Greenwell - were jailed for a total of more than 18 years for abusing former inmates at the detention centre following three separate crown court trials.
Ian Nicholson died before he could face a trial at Teesside Crown Court.
Neville Husband, a disgraced Christian minister, was jailed for eight years in 2003 after being convicted of a series of sickening sex attacks on teenage boys.
The pervert tied up and blindfolded one of his young victims and took vile pornographic photographs of him after ordering him to get undressed.
Flavell, 89, was deemed unfit to stand trial so Judge Howard Crowson said teh only option available to him was to pass an absolute discharge.
He adjourned the case for two weeks for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide what to do about the one outstanding charge of assault.
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