Teenager Tells Of Hell In Care Home’s ‘Zombie Room’

A TEENAGER yesterday claimed she was brutally abused in a residential school’s punishment room. Ashley Johnston, now 16, said she endured 12 weeks of torment at the Good Shepherd Centre.

She claimed she was kept for up to two days at a time in the punishment room – dubbed the “zombie room” by the girl residents.

The Record revealed yesterday that police were investigating amid allegations the punishment room was used for torturing girls as young as 12.

We received a flood of calls from former residents and their parents in response to our story.

One of the worst cases was that of Ashley, who was sent to the school in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, by the children’s panel when she went off the rails after her mum’s death two years ago.

She said she was punched in the face and body, kicked, sat on and dragged across the floor by her hair in a shocking catalogue of attacks.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the Record finally exposing the abuse that has been going on for years and it has always been covered up.

“I was assaulted by staff at least three times and spent two days at a time in the punishment room, which we used to call the zombie room because you were beaten and left to rot.

“While I was in there, staff would come in and goad me and say really terrible things like my dad would commit suicide because I was so bad and that no wonder I wasn’t wanted.

“They said these things to see if I would get angry. It was mental torture as well as physical.”

Ashley’s dad James, 40, and stepmum Helen, 45, from Whitburn, West Lothian, said she was so badly beaten they twice called in police.

But maintenance worker James said the abuse claims were brushed under the carpet.

Ashley added: “I was sent to the Good Shepherd to get help to control my anger. But I came out even worse and became very violent. They didn’t help me – they just abused me.

“I don’t trust adults any more because of this and I get very scared if I have to face strange people.

“The first time I was assaulted was when they crushed my fingers in the door of my room because I tried to get out.

“The second time I was attacked because I had just been released from the zombie room after two days and I asked for something to eat.

“They refused and I went mad because I was starving. So they came into my room, battered me off the door, pulled the legs from under me, dragged me along the carpet and held me down on the floor.

“I was bruised all over and had a black eye. My dad and stepmum were stopped from coming in to see me until the bruising died down. They were angry when they saw me.

“I also had carpet burns over my face and stomach – that’s when my dad called the police the first time.

“They came to the home but I never heard any more about it after that.

“The third time was the worst. I was punched in the side of the head in the zombie room and restrained by six staff.

“I had threatened a member of staff with a pair of scissors. That was wrong but I didn’t deserve to be beaten up.

“They were all over me, kneeling on my legs, arms and neck. I was in a terrible state and my stepmum saw what I was like when she came in to visit me.”

Cleaner Helen called the police after being shocked at the state of her stepdaughter.

She said: “Ashley was covered from head to foot in bruises.

“I called the police immediately and they came out. But it didn’t go anywhere” Ashley said she also witnessed other girls being abused. She said one of her friends had a black eye after a beating.

Her dad said: “I am so glad the Record have exposed this. I have been trying to get something done to stop this abuse for years.”

Ashley now hopes to rebuild her life and train to be a hair and beauty therapist.

Police moved into the Good Shepherd Centre after a former worker gave a tip-off to the Care Commission watchdogs. The commission launched their own investigation into the school.

A police spokeswoman said: “Strathclyde Police, along with the local authority and the Care Commission, are currently making inquiries in respect of the Good Shepherd.

“Inquiries are at a very early stage.”

Care Commission director of children’s services regulation Ronnie Hill said: “We received an anonymous complaint regarding the Good Shepherd in February.

“During our investigation, we became aware of other issues which were raised with police, Renfrewshire Council and other related agencies.”

In a statement, the school management said: “The management of the Good Shepherd Centre are proud of their record in creating an environment where young people with complex social, emotional and care issues can have their needs met.”

‘They crushed my fingers in the door of my room because I tried to get out’