A “barbaric” prison officer who “attacked” hundreds of terrified boys at a “torture camp” detention centre can today be exposed by The Northern Echo for the first time.
“Sadistic” Douglas Harrison handed out “daily brutality” to boys as young as 14 at the former Kirklevington Detention Centre, in Yarm, between the 1960s and 1990s.
It can be revealed a staggering 273 men reported the “evil” 74-year-old, who died in 2019, to police - but the total number could exceed 400.
The institution - now HMP Kirklevington - is now the centre of an abuse scandal after police were swamped with almost 1,000 complaints of historic abuse.
Victims who had their childhood “ripped away” have been fighting for justice for decades - but despite Cleveland Police’s Operation Magnolia marking its 12-year anniversary, not one abuser has been dragged before the courts to answer for their actions.
Today, The Northern Echo can exclusively reveal that Harrison was set to be charged by police with misconduct in a public office and numerous assaults - but died in 2019 just days before.
After months of investigation work by the Echo, Cleveland Police has now taken the almost unprecedented step of naming Harrison as a suspect, saying he was due to be charged with offences relating to 18 victims.
Those who allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of Harrison would “pray for his day off” - with one claiming he left him with a black eye, made him scrub floors with soap he was allergic to, and would get “double the abuse” if he dared to tell his parents.
Another said Harrison “smashed his knee with a kitchen paddle" so severely that he was hospitalised and left with a limp for the rest of his life.
But decades later, the boys - some of whom would cry themselves to sleep, blinded by fear of officer attacks - have still not been able to get justice.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Chatterton, said the force understands the length of the investigation is both “upsetting and frustrating” and remains “fully committed to listening to victims and survivors”.
Harrison, who was from Stanley but lived in Eaglescliffe, died on September 22, 2019 at the University Hospital of North Tees following a long illness.
Police have confirmed that 938 victims have come forward in the probe - 120 of which were in the last 14 months - and have interviewed at least 12 suspects.
Jamie Linsdell, who was 15-years-old when he was sent to Kirklevington in 1985, claimed Harrison would “stamp on his hand with his steel-toe-capped boots”.
He said: “Once, when I was scrubbing the floor. He stamped on my hand with his steel-toed boots on.
“I had an infection and then I got brayed again as they said I was trying to get out of the gym.”
Lance Manock, who was 16 during his six-week stint at the centre in 1978, described Harrison as an “evil sod”.
The 64-year-old claims Harrison is the reason he has had a limp for his entire life after “smashing his knee with a kitchen paddle".
He also said Harrison told others to hold his hand down while he “burnt him with a big spoon from a pan of boiling water”.
Mark Armstrong, who was 14 at his time at Kirklevington in 1980, claimed Harrison would “abuse 14-year-olds, 15-year-olds, and 16-year-olds to make himself feel stronger and harder”.
The now-62-year-old said Harrison dying before being charged was “just another complete failure” for the victims, saying he feels like police are “going to let them all die”.
Other victims described Harrison as a “scum bag” - with one even saying: “If there's a heaven and a hell this b****** will be in the latter.”
Police say they remain 'fully committed' to probe
DCI Chatterton, said: “Firstly, I want to recognise the profound trauma and distress that all survivors have experienced and acknowledge the courage it has taken to come forward.
“I understand that the length of time this investigation has taken is upsetting and frustrating, and we are deeply mindful of the impact this has had, and continues to have, on those affected.
“We remain fully committed to listening to victims and survivors, treating them with dignity and respect, and pursuing all reasonable lines of enquiry.
“This is a complex and non‑recent investigation involving 938 victims and survivors to date. At least 21 suspects have been interviewed as part of this work, and we continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Read more on Kirklevington
- Kirklevington Detention Centre victims deserve justice
- 'Forgotten' victims of Yarm detention centre still waiting for justice
“Victim and survivor care and support remain at the heart of everything we do. We encourage anyone affected to continue engaging with their appointed support services, and we are committed to keeping victims and survivors informed as the investigation progresses.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with the friends and families of those affected.
“Child abuse is abhorrent and we commend the bravery of victims who come forward. It would be inappropriate to comment further while a police investigation is ongoing."
Kirklevington Detention Centre was operated by the Home Office - now the Ministry of Justice - and housed boys aged 14-17 sentenced to between three weeks and four months' detention.
It changed to an adult male resettlement prison, as it is known today, in 1992.
Anyone who suffered abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre can report this to Cleveland Police. Victims can also contact Oakwood Solicitors for advice on legal claims.
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