JOHN “LES” DUNCAN AND KEVIN BROWN: SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN GRINDON, SHOTLEY BRIDGE, AND SOUTH SHIELDS

In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the North-East community, two former social workers, John “Les” Duncan and Kevin Brown, have been convicted and sentenced for their heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of vulnerable children in residential care homes located in Grindon, Shotley Bridge, and South Shields.

Details emerged that Duncan, aged 61 and residing on Hyde Park Street in Gateshead, was found guilty after a trial of multiple serious charges, including ten counts of indecent assault on a male, three counts of indecency with a child, one count of buggery, and one count of attempted buggery. These offenses were committed over a span of three decades and involved seven different victims. The court heard that Duncan’s abusive actions took place while he was employed at two residential facilities: the Dr. Barnardo’s-run home at Shotley Bridge near Consett, County Durham, and Feversham School in Walbottle, Newcastle.

It was revealed that Duncan had previously admitted to sexual misconduct in 2001, acknowledging abuse of two young boys—one at Shotley Park and another at Feversham. He had served time in prison for those offenses. Despite this, Duncan continued his career in child care, starting as a social worker at Shotley Park in 1977 when he was just 23 years old, and later working at Feversham, where he was promoted to deputy head of care before leaving in 1995. Today, Duncan was sentenced to 15 years in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

Kevin Brown, aged 58 and currently serving an eight-year sentence, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault against five different victims. Additional charges of indecency with a child and further indecent assaults involving two more victims were also proven. Brown’s offenses all took place at Feversham School, a residential institution operated by the charity Mind, which catered to children with emotional and behavioral difficulties aged between six and 19. Brown’s criminal activities spanned many years, during which he exploited his position as a senior staff member to carry out assaults in various settings, including his on-site flat, during school trips, and even in the children’s sleeping quarters.

The court heard how Brown’s misconduct was initially reported but was subsequently mishandled. Despite suspending him after the first allegations, the school allowed him to return to work, and he continued abusing children for years. The investigation uncovered that the school’s management, including deputy head David Allnutt, failed to act decisively, and the allegations were not properly addressed. Brown’s actions also involved enlisting the help of a school bully to silence victims through violence. The school’s then-operator, Mind, expressed deep regret over the abuse, with Paul Farmer, the organization’s chief executive, apologizing to those affected and confirming that Mind was no longer involved in running residential schools.

Detective Superintendent Steve Wade of Northumbria Police emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, “These men preyed on vulnerable young boys, abusing their positions of authority and trust. I am pleased they will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars.”

Further back in history, the case of John Duncan, also known as Les, who worked at homes in Northumberland and Durham and at South Shields’ Children’s Society, came to light. Duncan, now 58 and residing in Sunderland, was jailed in December 2001 for nine years after admitting to grooming and abusing young boys, including taking one on a trip to Africa for his sickening acts. His victims described how Duncan used gifts and special privileges, such as single bedrooms, to manipulate and exploit them. One victim, now 30 and living in London, recounted how Duncan’s abuse affected his ability to trust and form relationships, highlighting the long-lasting trauma inflicted.

In a tragic twist, Duncan’s victim had previously reported the abuse to social services 18 years earlier, but his complaint was ignored. Duncan’s criminal record and the impact of his actions serve as a stark reminder of the failures within the child protection system at the time.

As the legal proceedings concluded, Judge John Evans condemned Brown’s betrayal of trust, noting the devastating impact on the victims’ lives. Brown was sentenced to an additional six years on top of his existing sentence, and he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, along with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

In the aftermath, Ian Merry, a former senior residential social worker at Feversham, revealed the extent of his own long-standing efforts to expose the abuse. Merry, who worked at the school from 1983 to 1987, recounted how he attempted to raise alarms about the misconduct of staff members, including Brown, but was ignored and dismissed. His testimony underscores the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to persist for years.

These cases serve as a grim reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding vulnerable children. The community continues to grapple with the revelations, and justice has been served for many of the victims who endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of those entrusted to care for them.