Five men charged over historical abuse at school

Underley Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale Credit: ITV Granada

Police have charged five men over reports of historical physical abuse and cruelty in South Cumbria residential schools.

The men have been charged as part of Operation Tweed – an investigation launched by Cumbria Police in July 2014 into alleged abuse at Underley Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale.

The men are:

· Errol Mayer, 72, of New Road, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, who has been charged with 18 counts of assault causing Actual Bodily Harm and ten charges of child cruelty;

· John Studley, 64, of Maryland Close, Silverdale, Lancashire, who has been charged with one count of assault ABH;

· Frederick Taylor, 74, of Lower Park Royd Drive, Sowerby Bridge, Calderdale, who has been charged with one count of assault ABH;

· James Farish, 57, of Oakwood, Kendal, Cumbria, who has been charged with one count of assault ABH;

· David Hadwin, 70, of Raygarth Road, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, who has been charged with one count of assault ABH.

All five have been bailed to appear at South Cumbria Magistrates Court on February 15.