Medomsley abuse investigation

Police investigating historic sexual abuse at a County Durham detention centre say almost 100 alleged victims have come forward since they re-opened the inquiry earlier this year.

Around 80 detectives are examining new evidence of abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre in the 1970s and 1980s.

They are convinced there are many more victims out there, who simply can't bring themselves to talk about what happened.

Kenny Toal reports.

Detective Chief Inspector Brad Howe, Durham Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Brad Howe, Durham Police.

Police say 94 alleged victims of sexual abuse at a County Durham detention centre have now come forward. Officers believe there are many others still unreported.

A new investigation into alleged abuse by staff at Medomsley Detention Centre in the 1970s and 80s has uncovered some shocking testimony.

Senior prison officer Neville Husband and caretaker Leslie Johnson were convicted of sex offences in 2003. Both have since died.

Police are now investigating other members of an alleged paedophile ring within the centre.

More than 80 people have said they suffered as inmates at a County Durham centre for young offenders in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Durham Constabulary announced they were launching a fresh investigation into claims young men sent to Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett were abused by staff.

The unit had a capacity of over 130, but at any one time typically held 70 offenders, mainly from the north. Many were first-time offenders detained for minor crimes.

Around 60 detectives have been assigned individual cases. They will take initial statements in a few weeks time.

Police investigating the historic allegations of child abuse at a County Durham detention centre say that more than 60 alleged victims have now come forward. Durham Police reopened the case into sex abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre last month.

The scandal dates back to the 1970s and 80s when it is alleged inmates at the centre for young offenders were subjected to abuse. Previous police investigations led to two men being jailed. Detectives say that more alleged victims are expected to come forward.

The police have promised to put victims at the heart of their investigation and said they believe there are still victims who have yet to come forward.

An investigation into historic sexual abuse at a detention centre in County Durham has opened after allegations were made by a man who claims he was raped every day for four months.

John McCabe, who spent time at Medomsley Detention Centre, said he was sexually abused by prison officer Neville Husband at the institution.

Husband was previously jailed for abusing inmates at the centre and died in 2009 after his release.

Mr McCabe said that the abuse took place 30 years ago when Husband recruited him to work in the kitchen and that he also took him out of Medomsley where he was raped by another man.

Detectives have reopened a major investigation into a former youth detention centre in County Durham. There are fresh claims that hundreds of its young teenage inmates may have been abused during the 1970s and 80s.

Two former members of staff have already been arrested and convicted for sex offences. Now, claims by one victim that he was raped every day for four months have prompted the new inquiry.

The man says there are many more victims and other perpetrators who have not yet been brought to justice.

Gregg Easteal reports.

Detective Superintendent Paul Goundy, Durham Police.