The Criminal Trial of Eastwood Park Detention Centre’s Guard, Patrick Devaney, Begins

The trial of Patrick Devaney commenced on Monday 9 January 2023 at Bristol Crown Court. The trial has been long awaited after previously being postponed from summer 2022.

Patrick Devaney is accused of committing offences between 1970 and 1983 against male inmates aged 14 to 17 years old. The allegations made against him include violently and sexually abusing a 14 year old boy.

Prosecution opened the case stating that whilst Devaney was a guard at the detention centre there was a harsh militant style regime in place. There was a governing policy to give detainees a “short, sharp, shock.” It was heard that Mr Devaney was ‘particularly and consistently brutal’.

Devaney has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Those being one count of misconduct in a public office and two counts of indecent assault. Devaney commented that Eastwood Park was a “great place” that would deter detainees from reoffending.

The first witness recounted that he was subjected to “vicious physical abuse” by Devaney at age 15. He further elaborated that Devaney used weapons, such as a wooden paddle named ‘Nelly’ to punish the boys.

The jury heard that Devaney would hit boys with wooden paddles, punch them and use racist language. He would frequently force boys to exercise until they were physically sick and encourage them to fight one another.

The trial is expected to last six weeks, with over 20 former detainees being called to give witness testimony.