‘Up to 500’ Victims Come Forward Regarding Problems

Durham Police has revealed that allegations of abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre in the county during the 1970s and 1980s may be linked to a paedophile ring.

Around 500 people have now come forward in relation to the physical or sexual abuse at the centre, which was closed in 1988.

Two members of staff – storeman Leslie Johnson and prison officer Neville Husband – were jailed in relation to abuse, although both men have since died.

Gemma Allsop, a legal specialist at Irwin Mitchell's Newcastle office, said: “It is incredibly worrying to see further reports of abuse and assault at Medomsley Detention Centre emerge, highlighting that the scale and extent of problems at the site may have been much larger than first thought.

“For the sake of all of the victims, it is vital that Durham Police continue to work quickly and thoroughly to provide more information regarding these issues and ensure that where possible people are held to account.

“Through our work on behalf of victims of abuse, we understand the huge physical and psychological toll that such problems can have. It is also paramount that anyone affected by these issues is able to access the care and support they need to try to come to terms with the past and move on with their lives.

“Anyone affected by this issue deserves answers and a reassurance that problems like this will not be repeated in the future.”