Police investigating historical abuse at three boarding schools

By The Press Association10th June 2015News EnglandChild Abuse, Gloucestershire, News England, Non-Recent / Historic Abuse, Wiltshire

Police are investigating claims of historical abuse at three boys’ boarding schools.

Former pupils allege they were assaulted at the privately-run Dowdeswell Court (pictured) and Badgeworth Court schools in Gloucestershire and Clouds House in Wiltshire during the 1970s and 1980s.

The claims have been reported by the BBC, which has spoken to 18 former pupils who have named those allegedly responsible.

Staff who worked at the schools, which catered for pupils with behavioural problems, have “categorically denied” any involvement, saying pupil welfare was a “priority”, the BBC reported.

James Roman, who was sent to Dowdeswell Court when he was 10, told the

BBC: “I was sexually abused at Dowdeswell repeatedly.

“The sexual abuse wasn’t as bad as the psychological abuse because the sexual abuse is over in 10 or 15 minutes and you can block it out, I guess.

“So I find it a little bit easier to speak about it although it is still upsetting, it’s disgusting.”

Nick Kaye, who was placed at Badgeworth Court aged 11 by his mother, alleged he had been subjected to physical abuse from the moment he arrived.

“Fifteen minutes after my mum left I got caned 15 times and told ‘That’s what’s going to happen from now on’,” he said.

John Wright, who was a pupil at Clouds House, alleged he was beaten and assaulted by members of staff.

“We were only children and for children to see things like that. We were in a care home, that’s not care,” he said.

Wiltshire Police said it was reviewing its records after being contacted by a member of the public in April.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Corner said: “Wiltshire Police are proactively reviewing our records, in conjunction with Gloucestershire Police, further to contact made by a member of public in April.

“It is the aim of the review to build on the initial information that we have received, review our own records and establish if any criminal offences have potentially been committed such that offenders are brought to justice.

“Wiltshire Police want to reassure the community that we take all allegations of physical and sexual abuse very seriously and if a member of public wishes to make a complaint, we will fully investigate the matter.

“We have dedicated officers who are trained to support victims throughout any process and we encourage anyone who has been the victim of physical or sexual abuse to come forward and report it to us.

“We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our societies and we treat every case of reported physical or sexual abuse extremely seriously.”

A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said the force was not currently investigating any allegations.

“A significant and detailed police investigation into abuse at the Badgeworth Court group of schools was carried out in the 1990s and resulted in criminal proceedings,” she said.

“However we can reassure people that should any fresh reports be received by Gloucestershire Police we will thoroughly investigate those allegations.”