POLICE have launched a renewed investigation into allegations of horrendous sexual abuse suffered by teenage inmates at a North-East detention centre in the late 1970’s and early 1980s.

Durham Police chiefs today (Wednesday, August 14) confirmed a fresh inquiry had been launched into claims of sex crimes at Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett, after allegations made by a man who said he was routinely raped by prison officer Neville Husband.

John McCabe, of Lanarkshire, Scotland, who has waived his right to anonymity, said during his six-month ordeal Husband had also taken him out of Medomsley, where he was raped by another man.

Husband was sentenced to ten years in jail for the systematic abuse of several teenagers. After serving his sentence, the 72-year-old died of natural causes at his home in nearby Snows Green, Shotley Bridge, in 2010. Husband’s friend, storeman Leslie Johnson, was jailed for six years. He too has died.

Medomsley Detention Centre closed in the late 1988 and later re-opened as the privately run Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in 1999.

Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry, head of safeguarding for Durham Constabulary, said the force had agreed to re-open the case following a meeting this week with Mr McCabe’s MP, Michael McCann.

He said: “Having reviewed the files and spoken to Mr McCabe, I believe other people have been involved in this abuse and there are people out there who have information.

“I have to say how impressed I was with Mr McCabe’s courage in allowing himself to be named. He has motivated not only myself, but also my team, to bring others to justice.”

He added: “The investigation will put victims at the heart of the inquiry, but at the same time we would like to hear from anyone who has new information about Medomsley and the abuse that occurred both inside, and when inmates were taken off-site.

“Those who carried out the abuse preyed on some very vulnerable young people and left many of them with mental scars which have lasted a lifetime.

“We believe there are other victims who for whatever reason have never come forward.

“It is those people we are now asking to contact us and pass on any information about what took place during their time at Medomsley, whether it happened at the centre or elsewhere.”

Det Supt Goundry said a number of victims had or were taking legal action and officers were contacting their solicitors in order to speak to them.

He said: “I can assure anyone that comes forward that we have experienced officers on hand to talk to them and they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.

“What happened at Medomsley was organised abuse on a large scale and we are committed to ensuring every victim feels they have had the opportunity to speak.”

Anyone with information should contact Durham Constabulary on 101.