49-606: Medomsley is a village in County Durham , England. It is about 2 miles (3 km) northeast of the centre of Consett , 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (2 km) south of Hamsterley and 1 mile (2 km) southeast of Ebchester along the B6309. Leadgate lies a further mile to the south east. Medomsley is about 778 feet (237 m) above sea level, atop a hill overlooking the Derwent Valley . The village has views of
98-547: A better place", to fully understand the abuse in Medomsley, and to gather evidence against and prosecute living abusers. In March 2019, Operation Seabrook resulted in five former Medomsley officers being jailed for physically abusing detainees. The five – Christopher Onslow , John McGee , Brian Johnson Greenwell , Alan Bramley and Kevin Blakely – received jail terms totalling 17 years and 11 months. The investigation
147-481: A cover for abuse by Medomsley officers. The policy involved incarcerating boys convicted of minor misdemeanors in what have since been described as "sadistic, brutal concentration camps", where inmates were routinely humiliated and violently and sexually assaulted. Inmates were routinely physically attacked for not saying "sir" when addressing a guard and were often forced to stand naked, visible to guards, for long periods of time. Margaret Thatcher's government argued
196-562: A crime he didn't commit in one such centre in Kent , where inmates "were always beaten up", said abusive prison guards "had the impression this was authorised by Maggie Thatcher, as if they were on direct orders from the Prime Minister to carry out this abuse". Mark was "punished" for trying to appeal even after the real guilty person confessed. He was forced to stand naked for more than 24 hours while others, including staff, walked past. He
245-507: A daily basis" by officers who "were just sadistic and seemed to enjoy abusing young boys". All inmates were subjected to daily violence and were deprived of food and of meaningful contact with their families, with the contents of letters home being dictated to inmates. One victim who was incarcerated in Kirklevington as a 14-year-old boy feared for his life and emerged as "an anti-authoritarian criminal", from then on viewing authority "as
294-854: A further 11 faced no action because of insufficient available evidence. The six former Medomsley officers who received warnings remained under investigation. The investigation was made difficult by some victims not recalling names of abusers or only knowing their nicknames, by victims' backgrounds and by the length of time since the crimes. The detective now leading the investigation, Chief Superintendent Adrian Green, explained that perpetrators were identified by showing victims old photographs of Medomsley staff and "timelines of nicknames". He said "it becomes difficult to turn these things into evidence." 71 victims appeared as witnesses in three trials in 2018 and 2019. in which five men were convicted of frequently physically attacking boys in Medomsley, causing severe bruises, bleeding, broken bones and unconsciousness. After
343-524: A kitchen store room as a bedroom containing sexual paraphernalia, where he forced a boy to sleep each night. He concealed the nightly rapes by prohibiting staff from searching the kitchen area. An officer testified "We knew something was going on, he – Husband – used to keep a boy behind in the kitchen at night, we always felt sorry for that boy." In 2019, Operation Seabrook 's lead investigator Detective Adrian Green found it "likely" other staff at Medomsley were aware "that physical and potentially sexual abuse
392-421: A lifetime" and that reporting the abuse "has taken courage". Judge Howard Crowson said former inmates "who had the courage to complain ... were either ignored or warned that to pursue the complaint would risk a return to Medomsley" which "no one wanted to risk", so "most of the victims told nobody". He said society at the time viewed such complaints as evidence the victim "had not learned his lesson". In 1967,
441-745: A minor crime, the penalty for which would nowadays be a non-custodial community sentence . Detention typically lasted six to eight weeks before release. The site reopened as the private Hassockfield Secure Training Centre from 1999 to 2015. In June 2019, plans were proposed to redevelop the site for housing. Medomsley held young males from Northern England and Scotland and was one of several prisons intended to separate youths from older criminals where former inmates have since reported sexual, physical and emotional abuse, leading to addiction and suicide. Detective Adrian Green who led Operation Seabrook said Margaret Thatcher 's severe "short, sharp shock" policy for punishing young offenders may have been used as
490-835: A return to Medomsley." During victim impact statements, one victim, who described Medomsley as "hell on earth", said it left him taking antidepressants for 30 years. He said Medomsley officers "seemed as though they were using us to show off to one another, laughing as they did it." Others victims suffered recurring nightmares about Medomsley, even after 40 years, with at least one victim housebound, unable to work and largely out of touch with his three children, still overwhelmed by flashbacks and post traumatic stress disorder after 37 years. One victim described Medomsley as "a violent place" where prisoners were "treated like animals". Investigators said prison officers inflicted "immeasurable suffering and lifelong damage" upon "the most vulnerable kids in society" causing "mental scars which have lasted
539-507: A voice for them to be heard. ... Many of these people, are very very badly damaged by what occurred and that's devastated their lives." He hoped victims "found some solace in reporting their stories to police, being listened to, and that the issues at Medomsley are being discussed in public". Detective Green described Operation Seabrook as "incredibly long and complex", having taken "more than five years". Far more victims had reported abuse than expected and he praised their "courage", saying "it
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#1732782315244588-1017: Is believed to have been sexually abused. Inmates at Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire were constantly subjected to "waves and waves of verbal and physical abuse". Inmates were routinely deprived of sleep by "constant banging noises", guards talking into the PA system and guards "kicking cell doors loudly". During the day, inmates were arbitrarily sworn at by guards and were kicked and punched for frivolous reasons such as insufficiently rolled up sleeves or alleged uncombed hair. "Uncomfortable and intimidating" guards watched inmates showering. One victim recalled being forced to stand naked upon his arrival along with two others "for what felt like hours" while guards stared at them and verbally abused them. More than 30 years later, he still had "emotional scars" that "will stay with me forever". Inmates at Kirklevington Detention Centre, North Yorkshire , "were physically abused on
637-494: Is not easy to relive such distressing incidents". He was "extremely proud" of the investigators who "worked extremely hard" and were "dedicated people". 23,280 documents had been gathered and the investigation cost £1m. Detective Green expected "further charges [...] imminently" and asked other living victims, including those "who have suffered abuse in other establishments, not just Meadomsley" to contact Durham Police . News organisations were prohibited from publicising any of
686-465: Is on a 33 acres (13 ha) site on the edge of Medomsley. The site was previously Medomsley Detention Centre , where some staff sexually and physically abused thousands of boys in the 1970s and 80s. In 1988 the centre closed after the scandal of the paedophile officer Neville Husband . The centre was re-opened in 1999. In 2004 Adam Rickwood, a resident of Hassockfield, committed suicide. After this incident Hassockfield improved its performance, but it
735-587: Is the only city in the district. Following the 2021 United Kingdom local elections , the council is now under control of a coalition of the Liberal Democrats , Conservative Party , Independents and North East Party . The main industries where people in County Durham work are retail, health and social work, and manufacturing. The three largest industry groups for jobs based in the district are education, health, and manufacturing, while
784-529: The Crown Prosecution Service . By November, seven were charged and a further six were warned they could be charged if any new evidence emerges against them. The Crown Prosecution Service explained that some other abusers were no longer alive or were too difficult to identify. The seven charged men were released on bail. All faced charges of physical abuse and four were also charged with sexual abuse. They denied every charge. In August 2018,
833-462: The Pennines and the surrounding countryside for miles around. The Boldon Book of 1183 records Medomsley as Medomesley . The Vita S Godrici , written in 1190, records it as Madmeslei . The placename is derived from Old English and may mean the “middlemost clearing” or “Maethhelm’s clearing”. The Church of England parish church of St Mary Magdalene is a sandstone building completed in
882-454: The unitary authority of Durham County Council . Medomsley was formerly a township and chapelry in the parish of Lanchester , but became a separate civil parish in 1866. In 1931 the parish had a population of 7,005. On 1 April 1937 the parish was abolished and merged with Consett, except a small part which went to Stanley . Scheduled bus services link Medomsley with Consett and Newcastle upon Tyne. Hassockfield youth detention centre
931-446: The 13th century. In 1878 it was restored to designs by the architects HJ Austin , RJ Johnson and WS Hicks, who added a new roof, chancel screen (designed by Hicks) and north aisle. It is a Grade I listed building . Medomsley's church served many inhabitants of Shotley Bridge for baptisms, marriages and burials until the creation of Shotley Bridge parish in the 19th century. The sword-makers of Shotley Bridge were frequent visitors of
980-479: The appropriate counselling services if they need them. This will be a lengthy process but I am confident we have the resources in place." Counselling was offered to victims by "The Meadows", a nearby Sexual Assault Referral Centre. Detective Goundry promised to "put victims at the heart of the inquiry" and asked for "new information about Medomsley and any abuse that occurred either inside, or when inmates were taken off-site. He said Operation Seabrook would "go where
1029-460: The centre in her constituency as "a living hell". The public was prevented from learning of the abuse in various ways. Rape victims were silenced with death threats and beatings. At least 14 victims were ignored by police when they tried reporting the abuse upon their release, with rape victim Kevin Young being silenced with threats of being returned to Medomsley. Tony Skillen , whose skull
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#17327823152441078-524: The church, and the parish registers record many of these events. The antiquarian and physician Christopher Hunter (1675–1757) was born at Medomsley Hall. There were two collieries near the village: Medomsley Colliery southwest of the village and Derwent Colliery immediately to the north. Medomsley Colliery was opened in 1839. It was also known as the Busty pit, and is not to be confused with South Medomsley Colliery near Annfield Plain . Derwent Colliery
1127-566: The enemy". He said "I went on to spend most of my life in and out of prisons." Whatton Detention Centre, Nottinghamshire , was described as "terrifying for everybody". Former inmate James Carré-Rice "spiralled into violence" and repeatedly reoffended when released. The 15-year-old was punched in the face immediately upon arrival for not saying "sir" to an officer. Once inside, inmates had their self-esteem constantly lowered by guards verbally abusing and insulting them and were all "beaten, punished, humiliated". Carré-Rice recalled children crying during
1176-433: The evidence takes us" and that "every avenue will be explored and we’ll do our utmost to bring perpetrators to justice." He warned that any "officers who ignored evidence about a paedophile ring" would "be traced and investigated." John McCabe was extremely thankful for the victim-centred investigative approach taken by Durham Constabulary , saying "Everything they are doing is victims focussed. They have done so much for
1225-519: The experiences of these victims". By March 2014, Goundry expressed shock at "the sheer number of victims who have come forward" and said his team had "growing evidence" of "an organised paedophile ring" and a "brutal regime where violence was both extreme and routine", which ruined lives, leaving some traumatised victims unable to work or even leave their house. By February 2017, 1400 victims had reported sexual or physical abuse to Operation Seabrook. 32 suspects were identified and 32 files were provided to
1274-661: The final trial, Judge Howard Crownson lifted the restrictions, allowing details from the three trials to finally be published. Over 1,800 former detainees reported sexual and extreme physical abuse by officers in Medomsley, including daily rapes and frequent severe beatings under a "culturally violent regime" that traumatised them for life. Many were so desperate to escape this criminal "systematic abuse" that they broke their own limbs in order to be hospitalised and therefore removed from Medomsley. By March 2019, around 300 victims reported abuse by Neville Husband , which Durham Constabulary expected to become "considerably higher". He
1323-430: The night. His friend was severely beaten for dancing in a hallway, and less than a month after being released, hanged himself. In 2014, North West Durham 's MP, Pat Glass , criticised the phrase "short, sharp shock" because it created "a culture in which a group of people is seen as less than the rest", which is when "things start to go wrong". She said the abuse at Medomsley "cannot have been happening in isolation" and
1372-581: The non-metropolitan county and became a separate unitary authority. In 2009 the remaining districts were abolished and replaced by a single district covering the non-metropolitan county, with Durham County Council as the sole local authority. The district has multiple hamlets and villages. Settlements with town status include Consett , Barnard Castle , Peterlee , Seaham , Bishop Auckland , Newton Aycliffe , Middleton-in-Teesdale , Shildon , Chester-le-Street , Crook , Stanley , Willington , Stanhope , Spennymoor , Ferryhill and Sedgefield while Durham
1421-529: The other five were jailed for physical abuse in 2019. Medomsley Detention Centre was operated by the Home Office and built in 1960 on what was once a Victorian orphanage. It opened in February 1961 and closed in the late 1980s. It usually held around 70 young detainees, mostly from northern England, and could hold 130. Inmates were aged 17 to 21, and were typically there for their first offence and for
1470-479: The other victims and it means a lot me" and "When you look at the network of help they have put in place it is totally unbelievable." Rod Jones , who was abused in the 1960s, said because the investigation was so late, "the majority of prison officers who did this are now probably dead or are in their 80s and 90s" and he would never receive justice. Within months of the investigation's launch, Goundry said "seasoned detectives have found it quite traumatic dealing with
1519-457: The part of Stockton-on-Tees north of the River Tees . Between 1974 and 1 April 2009, County Durham was governed as a two-tier non-metropolitan county , with a county council and district councils. The original eight districts were Chester-le-Street , Darlington , Derwentside , Durham (city), Easington , Sedgefield , Teesdale , and Wear Valley . In 1997 Darlington was removed from
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1568-462: The pits. One in 1923 killed eight miners. In 1957, in another accident, two miners were rescued uninjured. The National Coal Board closed Derwent Colliery in 1964 and Medomsley Colliery in 1972. It proposed opencast coal mining near Medomsley, but in 1976 the Secretary of State for Energy , Tony Benn , rejected the proposal. There is just one tier of local government covering Medomsley, being
1617-437: The policy would deter further crime. David Greenwood, a representative of child abuse victims in detention centres, said detainees only became law-abiding in a minority of cases he was aware of and "the majority have their lives sent down the other path with this kind of treatment, especially with sexual abuse as well." One bereaved relative, whose brother Mark turned to heroin and died of an overdose after being incarcerated for
1666-603: The schools in the other districts having sixth forms. Local TV coverage is provided by BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees . Local radio stations include BBC Radio Newcastle , BBC Radio Tees , Capital North East , Heart North East , Smooth North East , Greatest Hits Radio North East , Nation Radio North East , TFM ; and community radio stations Durham On Air , Bishop FM in Bishop Auckland, and Darlo Radio serving Darlington. Medomsley Detention Centre#Neville Husband Medomsley Detention Centre
1715-680: The three largest for businesses are construction, retail, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Durham LEA has a comprehensive school system with 36 state secondary schools (not including sixth form colleges ) and five independent schools (four in Durham and one in Barnard Castle). Easington district has the largest school population by year, and Teesdale has the smallest with two schools. Only one school in Easington and Derwentside districts have sixth forms, with about half
1764-563: The toilets semi-naked for not finishing soon enough or for not preparing food quickly, being dragged by the hair during a beating, being force-fed salt for speaking during a meal, being punched for not saying "sir" to officers, almost drowning while locked in a box that was filled with water similar to water-boarding, being knocked from a 20-foot height then forced to walk with a broken back and being kicked, stamped on and pelted with heavy objects. One victim said prison officers also orchestrated violence by inmates, having noticed that while he
1813-405: The trials, Judge Howard Crowson praised the courage of all victims who reported the abuse. In March 2019, Detective Green said all five convicted abusers had a "life-long impact" on their victims, having "devastated their quality of life and their ability to cope going forward". He said, "It's never ending for those individuals, and one of the important things is that this has allowed them to have
1862-462: The verdicts or charges in three trials stemming from Operation Seabrook due to court imposed reporting restrictions , until the final verdict was delivered in March 2019. The trials had been scheduled for September 2018, November 2018 and January 2019. During these temporary restrictions, only the names and ages of the seven defendants could be reported. On 12 March 2019, following the verdict in
1911-462: Was "being kicked and punched and slapped", he "saw a prison officer at the door smiling." He said: "They were telling you that you were worthless, that's why you were in there, you were no good, nobody wanted you." Police believe many of the staff belonged to an "organised paedophile ring". In 1970, Neville Husband , the chef and later a church cleric, moved to Medomsley where he raped inmates every day for 15 years. The MP Laura Pidcock described
1960-540: Was a police investigation into sexual abuse of young inmates in Medomsley Detention Centre, which resulted in Medomsley officer Neville Husband being convicted in 2003 of sexually abusing five young inmates. He was jailed for this in February 2003 for eight years and jailed again in September 2003 for two more years for sexually assaulting another four inmates. Medomsley officer Leslie Johnson
2009-501: Was a prison for young male offenders near Consett in Durham , England from 1961 until the late 1980s, where more than 1,800 living former inmates have reported sexual and physical abuse by staff. Police believe many of the staff belonged to a child sex abuse ring. Seven former officers were jailed for abusing detainees, receiving sentences totalling nearly 34 years. Two were convicted of sexual offences in 1990, 2003 and 2005, while
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2058-420: Was broken by a violent prison guard, was forced to pretend to hospital staff that the injury was accidental. Relatives of David Caldwel , a chronic asthma sufferer, believe his inquest ignored the role of extreme physical training that was forced by violent prison guards in triggering his fatal asthma attack. The Home Office dismissed and denied numerous reports of abuse. Serial rapist Neville Husband used
2107-830: Was brought to justice in 2003 by Operation Halter . Husband, the chef and a church cleric, raped boys at Medomsley every day for 15 years. One of his victims, Dave Stoker said he felt "so disgusted", "dirty" and "ashamed" that Husband had successfully intimidated him into silence that he turned to alcohol. Mr. Stoker later died of cirrhosis of the liver . 71 victims testified in three trials in 2018 and 2019 stemming from Operation Seabrook , in which five former Medomsley officers were jailed for physical abuse. The 71 witnesses described frequent physical assaults by officers that caused injuries such as broken bones and black eyes. When jailing three officers Judge Howard Crowson said victims "felt they could not complain, and those who did were told [that] to continue their complaints could result in
2156-498: Was carried out by 70 Detectives from Durham Constabulary . Each detective interviewed and collected statements from a different group of victims. Its leader, Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, said they were "experienced detectives" with many of them "specially-trained to deal with victims of sexual abuse". Launching the investigation, Detective Goundry said the detectives "will go to see our victims in person, wherever they are, answer any queries they may have and steer them towards
2205-436: Was closed again in 2015. County Durham (district) County Durham is a unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of County Durham , England. It is governed by Durham County Council . The district has an area of 2,226 square kilometres (859 sq mi), and contains 135 civil parishes . It forms part of the larger ceremonial county of Durham , together with boroughs of Darlington , Hartlepool , and
2254-693: Was occurring" and "kept quiet about it". He added: "They should have intervened" and "shame on them." Detective Green warned "If I got any evidence to suggest cases of cover-ups I would be looking to prosecute." Two police investigations led to seven former officers who abused Medomsley detainees being jailed for nearly 34 years in total. Operation Halter saw serial rapist Neville Husband jailed in 2003, followed by Leslie Johnson in 2005, both for sexual abuse. Their sentences totalled 16 years. Operation Seabrook resulted in five former Medomsley officers being jailed in 2019, all for physical abuse, with sentences totalling nearly 18 years. Operation Halter
2303-574: Was opened in 1856. Both pits were opened by Edward Richardson and Co. The Consett Iron Company took them over in the 1860s. They were nationalised in 1947 . Coal left the two pits by rail. A 2-mile (3 km) freight-only railway ran south from Derwent Colliery via Medomsley Colliery to a junction west of Leadgate , where it joined the Stanhope and Tyne line of the North Eastern Railway . There were several mining accidents at
2352-436: Was part of a wider culture of abuse. Inmates in Medomsley were sexually and physically abused, spanning several decades from the 1960s to the late 1980s. The physical abuse sometimes resulted in hospitalisations due to severe injuries, including broken bones, wounds and loss of consciousness. Many inmates were raped by staff. The wide variety of physical abuse and humiliation incidents included detainees being dragged from
2401-652: Was subsequently jailed in 2005 for six years. Lead investigator Detective Simon Orton said in 2003 "There could be a lot more [victims of Neville Husband]. But I would anticipate there are people who have put it behind them and would simply want to leave it that way. We will have to respect that." Detective Orton added "I can only surmise how many other people have been through his clutches." On 14 August 2013, police reopened investigations into historical abuse of young inmates in Medomsley Detention Centre, naming this new investigative phase Operation Seabrook . It had three aims – to provide victims with support "so they are in
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