Latest news with #historicabuse
The Independent
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Paedophile blames Starmer for ‘damning' teachers accused of historic abuse
A paedophile who was convicted at two separate trials of abusing children in residential care has told an inquiry that Sir Keir Starmer had created a situation where anyone accused of historic abuse was 'damned'. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is investigating abuse in residential settings including boarding schools, religious establishments and foster care. The current phase of the inquiry is examining the provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long-term healthcare needs, additional support needs, and disabilities. Brian Dailey, 78, was convicted in 2017 and also 2022 of a total of 21 charges, of which 16 were sex offences, spanning 1969 to 1984. Seven of the complainants had been pupils at Woodfield Ladymary in Edinburgh where he was a houseparent. In 2017 he was jailed for 10 years and in 2022 he was sentenced to 15 years at the High Court in Glasgow, which was later reduced to 12 years. Dailey appeared at the inquiry by videolink on Tuesday and said 'children do tell lies', insisting he will protest his innocence until he dies. He also told the inquiry: 'I've never raped anyone.' Dailey criticised the Prime Minister and said: 'Keir Starmer, when director of public prosecutions, said any child had to be believed. Children, believe it or not, do lie.' Justice is devolved in Scotland and Sir Keir covered England and Wales in his former role as head of the Crown Prosecution Service. Inquiry chairwoman Lady Smith said: 'You have convictions for offences against 13 complainers from four different institutions over 15 years, are you suggesting they got together to make it up?' Dailey said: 'I'm not suggesting anything, children tell lies, if adults keep believing these lies the children can get more and more drawn into the lie and find themselves totally abandoned with nothing else to do but continue this lie.' Lady Smith said: 'Are you suggesting that if children have been abused they shouldn't come forward?' Dailey said: 'That is a complete fabrication. There was a time when responsible adults didn't just believe what children said. 'I have every sympathy for children who have been abused but they should be treated properly. There are some of us who are innocent but they get caught up. 'As soon as they hear the word 'historic abuse' they say 'he is guilty', he is damned from the word go, everything he says is taken as rubbish.' The UK Government did not wish to comment. Counsel inquiry Ruth Innes KC read from Dailey's statement, which said: 'I never abused a single soul.' Dailey said: 'That's my position, it always has been and it will be until the day I die.' Earlier on Tuesday, the inquiry heard from a teacher who was acquitted of abusing children and who claimed many allegations were made due to people hoping for compensation. The man, who was referred to using the pseudonym Harry after he was acquitted at a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, said he was unaware of abuse occurring when he worked at Starley Hall School, a residential school in Fife, but believed now that it must have gone on. Giving evidence, he said he recalled a school worker telling him he had been charged with abuse and did not know the outcome. However he told the inquiry he believed police had 'coached youngsters' to make allegations, after he was charged in 2022, but later cleared. Harry said: 'It seemed they were told 'if you have been abused you can claim compensation'.' A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'All reports of sexual abuse will be thoroughly investigated by Police Scotland irrespective of when a crime took place. 'Victims will be fully supported by specially trained officers and partner agencies throughout. 'We are very aware of how difficult it can be to report being a victim of child abuse. We will listen, we will investigate. 'Police Scotland is fully supportive of, and engaged with, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.' The inquiry continues.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- The Independent
Two men charged with historic sex offences at Welsh children's centre
Two men have been charged with historic child sexual exploitation at a former children's centre in Wales. Gwent Police said the two men have been charged with 45 alleged offences between them, relating to 16 victims. The alleged sexual and physical offences took place predominantly at the Coed Glas Assessment Centre, Abergavenny, between the 1970s and 1990s. Angus Riddell, 69, of Cwmbach Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been charged with 38 offences, including three counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16 and one count of attempted indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16. He is also charged with 14 counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 and 20 counts of assault, ill-treatment, neglect, abandoning a child, or causing a young person unnecessary suffering or injury. Robin Griffiths, 65, from Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent, has been charged with seven counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14. Both men were arrested on Friday June 20 and have been now been bailed to appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on July 3. The arrests come as part of Operation Spinney, which has been investigating reports made by men and women of sexual and physical abuse committed against them as children, predominantly at the former assessment centre. The centre was the responsibility of the former Gwent County Council and has been closed since 1995. Detective chief superintendent Andrew Tuck of Gwent Police said: 'A team of detectives has been working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and local authorities as part of a long-running investigation into allegations of non-recent sexual offences relating to the former children's home in Abergavenny. 'This has resulted in us being able to charge two men for a number of sexual offences against children. 'We are committed to securing justice for the victims in this investigation and continue to support them alongside specialist agencies. 'We would ask for people to respect the judicial process and avoid online speculation on this case. This is to ensure the integrity of the investigation and court proceedings. 'We take all reports of child exploitation seriously and would urge anyone who has suffered abuse or has concerns about someone who may be suffering to come forward and speak to the police. 'We will listen to you and investigate all offences and also ensure you have access to any help or support you need.' Hannah von Dadelszen, chief Crown prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has received a full file of evidence from the Gwent Police and has authorised the investigation team to charge two defendants with multiple counts of child sexual offences. 'This charging decision was made by the Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, which has a team of specialist prosecutors to lead on these complex and sensitive cases. 'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are now active and that they have a right to a fair trial. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
BBC News
06-05-2025
- BBC News
Hurstpierpoint College: Two men arrested over alleged sex offences
Two held in school sex offences inquiry The offences are alleged to have happened at Hurstpierpoint College Two men have been arrested as part of an investigation into historic sexual abuse at a West Sussex school. A 60-year-old man from Hillingdon in London has been held on suspicion of buggery of a boy under 16 years of age, in relation to an alleged incident at Hurstpierpoint College in 1988. A 73-year-old man from Hassocks in West Sussex has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an indecent photograph of a child in relation to an incident in the 1990s. Both have been released under investigation.
