Medomsley: A brief history of Operation Seabrook

By Kris Jepson

As five men have been convicted of 13 counts of misconduct in a public office and physical abuse of boys, one former Medomsley inmate has told ITV News Tyne Tees that he is still haunted by his experiences at the County Durham detention centre in the 1970s and 80s.

With costs in the millions, more than 1,600 former inmates came forward to report allegations to Operation Seabrook. In one of the largest investigations of its kind, 32 suspects were investigated.

However, in three recent trials, there were only 13 guilty verdicts out of a total of 51 charges brought. None of these convictions related to sexual offences.

Watch @krisjepson’s report here:

Physical abuse victim

Barry Segar, from Newcastle, was detained in Medomsley as a boy. He is still receiving counselling for "trauma" he says he experienced at the detention centre.

He told ITV News he is still mentally scarred by the brutal regime employed at Medomsley.

Operation Seabrook

Operation Seabrook was set up by Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry in 2013.

The operation followed two previous trials of former cook, Neville Husband in 2003 and store man, Leslie Johnson in 2005.

Husband was initially sentenced to eight years in prison for sexual attacks on five boys between 1977 and 1984, but this was increased to 10 years after he admitted abusing four more boys in 2005. Johnson was sentenced to six years for separate sexual offences. Both men have since died.

ITV News understands the Ministry of Justice has spent £3.6 million settling 237 compensation claims for sexual abuse cases he committed.

Public Inquiry call

One of Neville Husband’s victims, Kevin Young, gave evidence in the first trial, which led to his conviction.

He told ITV News, that there should be a public inquiry held in response to the five Medomsley abuse trials.

'Paedophile Ring' allegations

In 2014, Det Supt Paul Goundry said “from the statements there’s growing evidence to suggest there was an organised paedophile ring operating in Medomsley”.

The man who is now in charge of Operation Seabrook, following Goundry’s retirement, is Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Green.

He told ITV News the investigation had given the victims a voice, even if Goundry’s comment five years ago could not be proved evidentially.

Durham Police said they now await charging advice on a further six former Medomsley employees who are currently under investigation.