Medomsley Detention Centre was a youth detention centre in Consett, County Durham which was open from between 1961 to 1987 and operated the ‘short, sharp shock regime’.

Detainees were subjected to brutal, indiscriminate violence and sexual assaults from Officers.

Medomsley Detention Centre was investigated as part of Operation Seabrook which was launched by the Durham Constabulary in 2013.  This is the largest investigation of its kind.  It is understood that nearly 2000 men came forward to report their allegations of the abuse they suffered.

In 2019 five former prison officers …

• Christopher Onslow “Machine / Mean Machine”
• John McGee “Big John / Pigeon Man”
• Brian Greenwell “Puppet”
• Kevin Blakely “Broken Nose”
• Alan Bramley “Bong Eye”

were convicted of physically assaulting detainees over the course of three separate Crown Court trials.   Collectively they were jailed for more than 18 years.

The trial of former officer Alexander Flavell has begun this month at Teeside Crown Court.

The settlement scheme is designed to compensate victims of physical abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre without the need to go through complex legal proceedings.

The scheme provides certainty that former detainees will receive compensation for the physical assaults they suffered by Officers during their time there.

To be eligible for the scheme, you must be able to prove your period of detention by reference to PNC records and state that you suffered abuse by an Officer during the period that you were detained.

Compensation is assessed in accordance with the length of time the men were detained and whether they have suffered lasting physical and psychological injuries.  The Claimant will also receive a letter of apology from the Ministry of Justice.

Jordans Solicitors also obtain compensation for men who suffered sexual abuse by Officers during their period of detention.  In the early 2000’s two former Officers:

• Neville Husband
• Leslie Johnson

were found guilty of sexual offences against detainees.  Both men are now deceased.