Eastwood Park Detention Centre Historic Abuse Claims

The former Eastwood Park Detention Centre trial for historic abuse claims dating back to the 1970s is upcoming in January 2023.

An ex-prison officer from the centre, Patrick Devaney, has been charged following an investigation into allegations of non-recent sexual abuse committed at the former juvenile detention centre during the 1970s and 1980s and is set to stand trial in January 2023. He will be responding to charges of misconduct in a public office and two counts of indecent assault against a boy under the age of 16 years old, it has been reported.

79-year-old, Devaney of County Down in Northern Ireland, has been charged over historic sexual abuse claims. The investigation into the abuse focused on historic incidents at Eastwood Park Detention Centre in South Gloucestershire. Eastwood Park served its original purpose as a juvenile Detention Centre prior to 1992.

Devaney has been alleged to have physically assaulted, verbally abused and otherwise severely mistreated inmates of the former detention centre, as well as encouraging other staff to partake in the abuse.

Avon and Somerset Police conducted an investigation into the alleged abuse made by former inmates.

Devaney denies all allegations of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. He pleaded not guilty to allegations that, whilst working as a guard, he physically and verbally abused inmates; encouraged employees to engage in the abuse and failed to intervene in sexual, physical and verbal abuse of inmates.

The Court heard that the prosecution has approximately 600 pages of interviews from more than 40 victims of abuse by Devaney. The trial of Devaney is due to take place in January 2023.

We have a dedicated team of individuals considering claims for compensation for abuse suffered at various institutions, including Eastwood Park, and it is not too late to claim. If you believe that you were abused and would like to make an enquiry with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch with out specialist team.