A former prison officer at Medomsley Detention Centre has been found guilty of misconduct in a public office at the age of 89.
Alexander Flavell was charged with several offences, including misconduct in a public office, two charges of assault, two charges of indecent assault, and another of buggery. The 89-year-old was ruled unfit to stand trial, but a jury heard the facts of the case at Teesside Crown Court last week.
On Tuesday, February 28, the jury found that Flavell had committed misconduct in a public office and one charge of indecent assault, Durham Constabulary has confirmed.
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The former staff member was found not guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, buggery and indecent assault. The jury could not reach a verdict on one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The trial marks the end of Operation Seabrook - Durham Constabulary’s long-running investigation into allegations of abuse at the former detention centre, which closed in 1988.
Having begun in August 2013, the investigation is now one of the largest of its kind in the UK, with more than 2,000 victims and survivors having come forward to police to report allegations of abuse while detained at the centre.
In 2019, five former prison officers – Christopher Onslow, John McGee, Alan Bramley, Kevin Blakeley and Brian Johnson Greenwell - were jailed for a total of more than 18 years for abusing former inmates at the detention centre following three separate crown court trials.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ashton, from Durham Constabulary, said: “The investigation into the abuse which occurred inside Medomsley Detention Centre in the 60s, 70s and 80s highlights shocking and cruel treatment which many young people suffered whilst being detained there.
“This has been an incredibly long and complex investigation, spanning almost ten years with a number of investigations which took place prior to that, resulting in the conviction of Neville Husband. These investigations have been important in reflecting not only the scale of abuse that occurred at Medomsley Detention Centre but also the courage which the victims of abuse have shown in coming forward.
“In listening to survivors, it has been clear that as young people, they suffered some horrendous forms of abuse, committed by people around them who were in positions of authority and this never should have happened. A team of committed and dedicated investigators have worked hard to investigate all reported incidents of abuse and gather evidence to present in court during four separate crown court trials.
“We encourage anyone who has suffered such abuse to report the matter to the police or seek appropriate professional support.”
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