Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

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Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:44 am

Police have arrested two men in an investigation into allegations of sex abuse at a Coventry children’s home.

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An inquiry was launched after former residents of Wisteria Lodge, in Earlsdon , made accusations against the two former staff members.

It is understood the arrests relate to a period in the late 1980s.

The pair, both aged 68, were arrested in January over claims a child was abused at the home. They have been interviewed and released on bail until May.

A police spokesman said: “Officers from the public protection unit in Coventry are investigating the report and the men have been questioned on suspicion of child cruelty and sexual assault.

”They are currently on police bail, pending further inquiries.”

Police are keen to speak to anyone else who attended the children’s home, in Earlsdon Avenue South, during the same period.

Coventry City Council-owned Wisteria Lodge was demolished about four years ago.

The land where it once stood, which is close to the junction with Kenilworth Road, remains empty today.

The home was built in 1970 and catered for children in care until it was shut following a review of services for youngsters in care in 2009. When it was closed, it provided eight beds for children over 12 who had been placed into care.

It originally housed a much larger number of youngsters.

A spokesman for the council said: “We are aware of the allegations and are co-operating fully with the police but as a criminal investigation is underway we cannot comment further.”

If you were a resident at Wisteria Lodge in the late eighties, or have any information that may help police with their inquiries, call detectives on 101.

Alternatively if you want to give evidence anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Tue May 20, 2014 9:53 pm

Wisteria Lodge children's home investigation - police rebail suspects

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Two men arrested as part of an investigation into abuse at a Coventry children’s home have been rebailed.

The pair were arrested earlier this year in connection with the historic allegations which relate to Wisteria Lodge, Earlsdon.

The men, both aged 68, were arrested in January over claims a child was abused at the home.

Coventry City Council owned Wisteria Lodge was demolished about four years ago.

The land where it once stood, which is close to the junction with Kenilworth Road, remains empty today.

If you were a resident at Wisteria Lodge in the late eighties, or have any information that may help police with their inquiries, call detectives on 101.

Alternatively, if you want to give evidence anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:55 pm

Coventry children's home abuse inquiry: Men charged

Three men have been charged with indecent assault as part of an investigation into allegations of historic abuse at a Coventry children’s home.

Three defendants, now in their 60s, face indecent assault charges dating back to the 1980s.

All three men plus a fourth man have also been accused of ill treatment of a child.

There are 23 counts in total all relating to incidents alleged to have taken place at the Wisteria Lodge care home in Earlsdon.

[Name deleted*], 69, retired, of Stretton-under-Fosse, near Rugby faces eight counts of indecent assault of a child under 16 and five counts of ill treatment of a child under 16.

[Name deleted*], 69, retired, of Dickon Hill Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, is accused of three counts of indecent assault of a child under 16 and four counts of ill treatment of a child under 16.

Company director [Name deleted*], 61, of Hartington Crescent, Earlsdon, has been charged with one count of indecent assault of a child under 16 and one of ill treatment of a child under 16.

All three men have been bailed to appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on December 22.

A fourth man [Name deleted*], 55, of Orchard Street, Bedworth, has been charged with one count of ill-treatment of a child under 16 relating to an incident at Wisteria Lodge in 1993 and will appear before magistrates on the same day.

The council home for children in care was built in 1970 and was closed in 2009.

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*Bit unfair in my opinion to name men accused of the most abhorrent of crimes when nothing has been proved against them yet. Even if found totally innocent the stigma will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby rebbonk » Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:43 pm

dutchman wrote:
*Bit unfair in my opinion to name men accused of the most abhorrent of crimes when nothing has been proved against them yet. Even if found totally innocent the stigma will remain with them for the rest of their lives.



Absolutely dutchman. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Plus, once named like this how can they get a fair trial? - As you say, mud sticks and people always assume no smoke without fire.

I'm actually against anyone being named for any offence until found guilty by a court. To me, anything else amounts to trial by media.
Of course it'll fit; you just need a bigger hammer.
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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Thu Feb 11, 2016 5:34 pm

Jailed: Two former Coventry children's home staff who abused youngsters in the 1980s

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Two bullying former children’s home staff members who abused youngsters in their care in the 1980s have been jailed.

Alan Todd and Kenneth Owen had been found guilty by a jury of physically and psychologically abusing children at Wisteria Lodge, in Earlsdon, Coventry.

Todd, aged 70, who lives on a narrowboat at Stretton-under-Fosse, near Rugby, but formerly of Tile Hill, Coventry, was convicted of indecently assaulting two girls and five charges of cruelty towards four more girls and a boy.

Owen, also 70, from Boston, Lincolnshire, was convicted of five charges of cruelty in relation to two girls and three boys.

At Warwick Crown Court today, Todd was jailed for eight years and eight months, while Owen got four years and two months.

Both men had claimed the allegations against them had been fabricated by their victims, who were accused of colluding to make complaints in order to get compensation payments.

Judge Alan Parker told them: “I have a very negative opinion of both of you. There is little either of you would not say to evade your responsibility for these offences.”

Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC had explained: “The case concerns the abuse of vulnerable children taken into the care of the local authority during the 1980s and placed in residential or foster care.

“The residential home was known as Wisteria Lodge. Since the events the building was first closed and, having stayed closed for some time, has since been demolished.

“The nature of the abuse the prosecution say this case concerns falls into three categories.

“Children were bullied and subjected to humiliating, frightening treatment which fell short of physical violence.

“Secondly, there were occasions when children were deliberately physically assaulted; and thirdly there were occasions when female children were sexually abused.”

Mr Heywood said that although both men were now 70, the offences took place when they were in their late 30s and early 40s and working as the Child Support Team at Wisteria Lodge, with Owen rising to become group leader and, for a time, Todd’s manager, and their victims were in their early teens.

Speaking after the men were sentenced, an NSPCC spokesman said: “These two men used the trust and authority their jobs gave them to carry out this campaign of cruelty on vulnerable children.

"It is deeply concerning that this went on for so long, but we hope the sentences imposed today send out a clear message that these appalling acts will not be tolerated. Hopefully this case will also encourage other victims of abuse to come forward in the knowledge that action will be taken.”

    If you've been a victim of sexual crime you can contact Coventry Rape And Sexual Abuse Centre on 024 7627 7777 or visit http://www.crasac.org.uk

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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Thu Jun 23, 2016 11:30 pm

Wisteria Lodge: Children's home abuse inquiry put on hold after new allegations are made

An inquiry into abuse at a former Coventry children’s home has been put on hold while fresh allegations are investigated.

The city’s Safeguarding Children Board announced in April that it would launch the inquiry following abuse suffered by youngsters at Wisteria Lodge in Earlsdon at the hands of two former care workers.

The actions of Alan Todd and Kenneth Owen came to light in a high-profile court case this year that saw both found guilty of physical and psychological abuse against teenagers in the 1980s.

Todd, 70, who lived on a narrowboat at Stretton-under-Fosse, near Rugby, but is formerly of Tile Hill, Coventry, was jailed for eight years and eight months, while Owen, also 70, from Boston, Lincolnshire, was jailed for four years and two months.

The Coventry Safeguarding Children Board said afterwards that the inquiry was “the right thing to do” and would seek out what lessons can be learned to ensure that “these things could not happen now”

However, the board has now revealed that the inquiry has been postponed for the time being.

Janet Mokades, independent chairman of the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board, said: “After our recent meeting with the survivors and in the light of the continuing police investigations we have decided to postpone the inquiry until a more suitable date in the future.

“We do not yet have a time frame for this.”

Earlier this year West Midlands Police revealed it was launching a fresh investigation into more alleged abuse at Wisteria Lodge.

The new probe relates to one of the victims in the original case and has seen detectives cast a wider net over potential incidents in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

The force also revealed it was looking into whether the alleged perpetrators also committed crimes while working at other children’s homes across the city.

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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Wed Oct 12, 2016 2:30 am

'Grotesque' child abuser Kenneth Owen dies in prison

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An ex-children's home worker who verbally and physically abused young people in his care has died in prison.

Kenneth Owen, 71, from Lincolnshire, had worked at the council-run Wisteria Lodge in Coventry in the 1980s.

He and colleague Alan Todd were jailed in February for a "regime of terror" and "grotesque" abuse, a judge said.

The Prison Service said Owen died in hospital last Wednesday. His death was not suspicious, there will be an independent investigation.

Owen, from Boston, was serving a term of four years and four months at Oakwood Prison near Wolverhampton after being found guilty of five cruelty charges at Warwick.

An inquiry into the historical abuse at the home is being conducted by Coventry City Council's Safeguarding Children Board.

It will look at why complaints about the home, which has been knocked down, were not acted upon for many years.


'Cover up' more like, another whitewash. Rotten to the core, the lot of them! :fuming:
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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Tue Oct 10, 2017 4:03 pm

Eight men charged over historical abuse allegations at former Coventry kids' home

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Eight men have been charged in connection with allegations of historical abuse at a former Coventry children’s home.

The charges relate to allegations of abuse on youngsters at Wisteria Lodge, in Earlsdon, between 1981 and 1997, and all of those charged worked at the former home.

Wisteria Lodge was situated in Earlsdon Avenue South and was demolished in 2009.

All are due to appear at Coventry Magistrates' Court on October 26.

Det Insp Wes Martin, who is leading the investigation, said: "These charges follow a long investigation by my officers, who have worked closely with the local authority and partners.

"Anyone who has been the victim of abuse, no matter how long ago, can contact Police on 101 and report their concerns."

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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Fri Jan 18, 2019 9:31 pm

Two men convicted of cruelty at notorious Coventry children's home - and another guilty of indecently assaulting boy

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TWO men have been convicted of cruelty towards youngsters at a notorious children’s home in Coventry – and another man has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a boy from the home.

The offences all took place at the now-closed Wisteria Lodge children’s home in Earlsdon in the 1980s and 90s.

Between them, seven men, Alan Todd, Russell Garner, Ivan McChleery, Philip Barnett, Patrick Duignan, David Saunders and David Fox had faced 22 charges of cruelty to children at the home.

Following a seven-week trial at Warwick Crown Court, Todd (73, pictured above) previously of Stretton-under-Fosse, near Rugby, but who is already serving a sentence for sexually abusing other children at the home, was convicted of two charges of cruelty towards one boy.

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The jury, who were deliberating for a total of more than 22 hours over the course of four days in November, found Garner (59) of Orchard Street, Bedworth, guilty of two cruelty charges.

McChleery (77) of Greens Road, Coventry, was found not guilty of three charges of cruelty towards two girls at the home. But at a trial in September, which could not be reported until now, he was found guilty of indecently assaulting a boy from Wisteria Lodge after taking him to his smallholding.

Of the others in the dock, former Wisteria Lodge manager Phillip Barnett (65) of Huntington Crescent, Coventry, was found not guilty of three cruelty charges and of one of assault.

But the jury was unable to reach verdicts on a second assault charge against him, or on a further cruelty charge faced by Todd and one faced by Garner.

The case, which could not be reported at the time, was adjourned for the prosecution to consider whether to ask for a retrial of those matters – and after several weeks it has now been decided they will not face a further trial.

So Todd and McChleery, who have been remanded in custody, and Garner, who has been on bail, will finally be sentenced later this month at Wolverhampton Crown Court where Judge Barry Berlin, who heard the two trials, is now sitting.

Of the other defendants, Patrick Duignan (60) of The Riddings, Canley, Coventry, who faced four cruelty charges, and David Saunders (65) of Sibton Close, Bell Green, who faced one charge, were found not guilty.

And earlier in the trial David Fox (75) of Abbey Road, Boston, Lincs, who was accused of cruelty towards a girl by using excessive force in restraining her, was found not guilty on the judge’s directions.

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Re: Men arrested in sex abuse probe at Earlsdon children's home

Postby dutchman » Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:33 pm

Three men jailed for abuse at Coventry children's home

A man who indecently assaulted a boy while working at a Coventry children's home has been jailed.

Ivan McChleery was convicted of abusing the 15-year-old boy, who was being cared for at Wisteria Lodge in Earlsdon in the 1990s.

McChleery was found guilty following a trial at Warwick Crown Court in September last year, which could not be reported on at the time due to legal restrictions, and was today sentenced to four years in prison.

The 77-year-old, of Greens Road, Keresley, was sentenced alongside two other men - Alan Todd and Russell Garner - who were found guilty following a separate trial of child cruelty offences at Wisteria Lodge.

Todd, 73, previously of Stretton-under-Fosse, near Rugby, was convicted of two charges of cruelty towards one boy and jailed for nine months, while Garner, 59, of Orchard Street, Bedworth, was guilty of two cruelty charges and jailed for 15 months.

Todd's sentence will run consecutively alongside a current prison term for sexually abusing other children at the home.

They were all sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court, where Judge Judge Barry Berlin, who heard the two trials, is now sitting.

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