Abuse charges against social worker dropped

The trial of a senior social worker accused of sex attacks on vulnerable boys has been thrown out of court.

Brian Tansey was accused of five counts of abuse at Washington Hall residential school on Wearside and targeting another count during a trip with a different school.

The case against the 69-year-old was dropped at Newcastle Crown Court on its second day due to inconsistencies in the first alleged victim's account of what happened in the witness box.

Judge Brian Forster entered a not guilty verdict against all six charges Mr Tansey had faced and denied.

Judge Forster said the "right decision" had been made in the light of the difficulties.

The judge commended those concerned in Operation Viola, which the case was part of, which saw two social workers jailed for a total of almost 40 years for attacks on boys in similar circumstances.

John Duncan, 61, was sentenced to 24 years for abuse at schools, including Feversham, and Kevin Brown, 58, was jailed for 14 years for sex attacks at