More care home abuse victims come forward

MORE alleged victims of abuse at Nottingham children’s homes have come forward to tell their stories.
The Post reported on Saturday that police are investigating claims of abuse at five former homes.

So far police have uncovered 56 people who claim they were subjected to physical or sexual abuse between the 1970s and 2000. Officers have had a “couple more calls” regarding the case over the weekend.

The investigation, Operation Daybreak, initially centred on Beechwood House in Mapperley but has since been widened to include four more care homes in Notts and Derbyshire.

Since breaking the story on Saturday the Post has been contacted by more people who say they were abused.

A 50-year-old man from Ruddington said he was relieved that people may start believing his story. He asked not to be named, but added: “For years and years, no one would believe what was going on. Every time I said anything it was like banging my head against a brick wall.

“There’s no doubt what happened there made me the person I am today and reading about this has brought it all back, all the feelings of being powerless. It wasn’t normal, all the sexual abuse that went on, but people didn’t believe it was happening. I’m going to go to the police now. I’ve been wanting to do this for years.”

Another man, a 35-year-old from Forest Fields, said he was at Ranskill Gardens children’s home in Bulwell between the ages of nine and ten.

He said: “I was raped by another resident and reading the stories of other people at the homes brought back a lot of bad memories.

“I had to put up with it, but now I want to see people be accountable – it wasn’t right and no-one believed it was happening, but now they might.”

Operation Daybreak is looking at claims of abuse at Beechwood as well as at Bracken House, Thames Street, Bulwell, Ranskill Gardens, Bestwood, Wood Nook, Beechdale Road, Beechdale, and Risley Hall, Derbyshire. None is now operating as a children’s home.

Twelve people have been questioned as part of the inquiry. Five were arrested but later released with no further action.

A statement from chairman of Nottingham City Safeguarding Children Board, Paul Burnett, and vice-chairman of the Notts County Safeguarding Children Board, Julie Gardner, reads: “We are aware of a number of historic allegations relating to issues at Beechwood Community Home and other related residential establishments and, where identified, appropriate actions have been taken. A full and robust investigation led by the police and involving relevant agencies is being undertaken.”