WHY HAVE COPS QUIT PROBE INTO HOUSE OF HORRORS?
Abused kids’ home victims want new inquiry
FORMER residents of a children’s home dubbed the “house of horrors” want an independent inquiry after police shelved a probe.
Allegations that youngsters were sexually abused, beaten, starved and tortured at Beecholme Children’s Home were first revealed in the Sunday People almost four years ago.
Surrey Police arrested three people but have canned the investigation without charging anyone.
The force had identified 70 potential victims but a support group which has now disbanded contacted 118.
Although located in Banstead, Surrey, the home was run by London County Council before being taken over by Wandsworth Council in 1965.
The scandal spans three decades, from 1957 until it closed in 1974.
Ex-resident, Moira Lowman, claims she told cops she was physically abused in 1968 – but nothing was done and staff beat her for speaking out.
The 64-year-old says she was also sexually abused and spent hours talking to police in 2017, an ordeal which drove her to antidepressants.
On the decision to drop the police probe, she said: “It’s devastating.
“These people should have been held accountable.
“It’s like we were nothing to anyone. We were put in the home and abused and forgotten about. I told them at the time but the fact they didn’t do anything then has cost people their chance of justice.
“We need Wandsworth Council to agree to an independent inquiry, so people can come forward and we can get to the truth, though nothing can compensate us for what we
have lost.” She was backed by Janice Williams, 54, who says she was starved, beaten and sexually abused by staff and their associates at Beecholme between the ages of five and seven.
The trauma caused her to attempt suicide aged 14.
Janice said: “I gave a statement to police over two years ago. They have been given names of perpetrators but I don’t think they have taken
time out to put things together. We all went through this, hoping at the end something would have come of it but now there’s nothing.
“It’s like paedophiles can do what they want. Look at all the lives which have been ruined. Wandsworth Council now needs to commission an independent inquiry.”
Police are said to have investigated links between Beecholme
and the notorious
Shirley Oaks home in nearby Croydon, South London. Sources say they were given a list of staff who worked at both sites.
An inquiry last month found that Shirley Oaks was one of five homes where kids were subjected to “levels of cruelty and sexual abuse that are hard to comprehend”. Lambeth Council has paid £70million compensation to victims but Beecholme victims have not had a penny.
The decision to scrap the Beecholme probe came in December 2019 but some victims say they still have not had written confirmation that their cases have been dropped.
Surrey Police said: “A lengthy and complex investigation was carried out.
“Allegations, which were in relation to physical and sexual abuse, were thoroughly investigated. Three arrests were made. There was insufficient evidence for any charges.
“Due to the majority of the alleged offences taking place between 50 and 60 years ago, a number of other suspects named as part of the allegations were confirmed as deceased, while a number could not be identified based on the information provided.
“Those who came forward with allegations have been made aware that no further action will be taken.”
Wandsworth Council said it had “fully supported” the police probe.
A spokesman said: “We have also set up a confidential helpline managed by the NSPCC to support those who attended Beecholme.”