MEDOMSLEY DETENTION CENTRE

Medomsley detention centre was built in 1960 to house young men aged between 17 and 21 who we usually detained for relatively minor offences. It was closed in 1988 inmates were subjected to a brutal regime of physical violence and sexual abuse and Two notorious members of the staff of Medomsley, Neville Husband and Lesley Johnson were jailed for serious sexual offences in 2003 and 2005.

In 2013 Durham police reopened investigations into the historical abuse of young inmates in Medomsley in this investigation became known as Operation Seabrook. Over 1,800 former detainees gave evidence to the police detailing the physical and sexual abuse they had suffered at the hands of former prison officers. Speaking at Prime Minister’s question Time Laura Pidock the then MP for North West Durham said “Medomsley Detention Centre in my constituency was a living hell for the boys and young men sent there from across the UK in the 70s and 80s. Rape and torture were commonplace”.

The culmination of operation Seabrook led to the conviction of five further prison officers for physical abuse with a trial of two further officers pending. As a consequence of these convictions a steering group of solicitors who represent the majority of the victims were able to establish a compensation scheme with lawyers representing the Ministry of Justice. This scheme has created a quick and easy route to enable former inmates to obtain a financial award as a form of redress for their suffering.

As is often the case compensation settlement schemes are time-limited and once the deadline has passed no further claims will be accepted under the scheme. Up until now a cut-off date has not been agreed between the solicitor steering group and those representing the Ministry of Justice. Patrick Rafferty, senior partner McKeag and co-solicitors of Newcastle and a member of the solicitor steering group has recently been in discussions with solicitors from the government’s legal department and it is his understanding of the solicitors will be meeting with government representatives in the very near future and will thereafter she to have a meeting with the solicitor steering group in an attempt to agree a cut-off date.

Under the circumstances it is strongly advised that any former inmates of Medomsley detention centre take steps to immediately register a claim. McKeag in co-have already settled in excess of 100 claims for clients who suffered physical or sexual abuse during their time in Medomsley and you should not hesitate to contact

Patrick Rafferty on 01912131010, for expert advice. All cases are accepted on a “No win No Fee” basis.