Former staff members at Medomsley Detention Centre to appear in court over abuse allegations

Seven former workers at Medomsley Detention Centre, in County Durham, are set to face charges in relation to allegations of abuse.

The men have all been summonsed to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 19 to answer charges of misconduct in a public office and physical abuse offences. Some will also answer sexual abuse charges.

The men are Christopher Onslow, 71, Brian Johnson Greenwell, 70, Alan Bramley, 69, John McGee, 73, Kevin Blakely, 65, David McClure, 62, and Neil Sowerby, 61.

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

David McClure, Alan Bramley and Kevin Blakely, will answer charges of misconduct in a public office and physical abuse offences only.

Durham Police launched Operation Seabrook, 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 Operation Seabrook team to report allegations of either sexual or physical assaults while detained at Medomsley from the 1960s to when the centre closed in 1988.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Green, vowed the operation will not stop here.

He said: "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."

Anyone who believes they are a victim and has not already contacted the police can call Durham on 101 or email operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk.