MISSING council files may hold the key to a woman’s pursuit of justice over claims that she was sexually abused while being cared for in a North-East children’s home.

Tracey Johnstone, from Darlington, is demanding to know where the paperwork documenting her childhood is stored after efforts to trace it failed.

It could prove pivotal in the prosecution of a man she claims subjected her to years of sexual abuse while they were both residents of Park View children’s home in Darlington.

The accused was an older boy also in the care of Durham County Council at the Falmer Road home, which was demolished in 1993.

Police investigated her allegations in 2007, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded there was insufficient evidence.

Miss Johnstone, now 37, has waived her right to anonymity to tell her story.

She said the missing documents could contain vital clues to help bring the case to court.

The few files she has been able to obtain show staff were aware of inappropriate behaviour between Miss Johnstone and the boy.

One entry, in 1983, states: “[The accused] and Tracey discovered lying together on the couch in the classroom, both reprimanded.”

Miss Johnstone said: “I am very angry and frustrated.

There are a lot of questions going on in my head.

“These documents are all I have to go by.”

A spokeswoman for Durham Police confirmed the allegations were fully investigated.

She added: “The matter was handed to the CPS, but there was deemed to be insufficient evidence at the time to support a prosecution.”

Carole Payne, head of strategic commissioning for children and young people’s services at Durham County Council, said every measure possible was being taken to find the documents.

“We realise this must be an upsetting process and we are working closely with Tracey and a number of other local authorities involved in the provision of care,” she added.

“There is no doubt this is a complex situation and records may well be held across at least three different authorities. We are, and will continue, to keep Tracey well informed on the inquiry.”

Miss Johnstone first entered the care system when she was a year old, moving between her father’s care, to that of family friends, foster parents and finally Park View, where she stayed until she was 16.

“I’m starting to accept that I was taken into the home to be protected, but even then I wasn’t protected,” she added.

“I just want answers – I just want closure.”