KEITH LAVERACK'S HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN OAKINGTON AND ROYSTON REVEALED

In a disturbing series of revelations, three additional individuals have come forward to disclose their experiences of abuse at the hands of Keith Laverack, a notorious serial paedophile whose crimes spanned several decades in Cambridgeshire. These recent claims add to the mounting evidence against Laverack, bringing the total number of alleged victims to nearly 90, all of whom suffered at his hands during his time working within the local social services system.

Keith Laverack, who held prominent positions at Kneesworth House in Royston and the Midfield Centre in Oakington, was convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his heinous crimes. His criminal activities, which involved sexual and indecent assaults on children in his care, persisted over a period of more than 20 years, leaving a trail of trauma and suffering among his victims.

The case first gained widespread attention in March 1997, when Laverack, then aged 52, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of 15 counts of sexual and indecent assault. The court heard that he had exploited his position of authority to abuse vulnerable children in his care, with the abuse occurring at multiple institutions, including the children’s homes in Cheshire and Cambridgeshire.

During the sentencing at Chester Crown Court, Judge Huw Daniel described Laverack’s actions as among the most serious cases of child abuse he had ever encountered. The judge emphasized the profound impact of Laverack’s crimes, which spanned two decades and involved a pattern of systematic exploitation. The victims, many of whom were young boys and girls, endured physical violence, humiliation, and emotional trauma, often feeling powerless to resist or report the abuse.

Judge Daniel condemned Laverack for taking advantage of children’s trust and vulnerability, noting that he had used threats and manipulative tactics to silence his victims. The judge pointed out that Laverack’s career as a social services manager and educator had provided him with opportunities to commit these crimes, starting from his early twenties when he first worked at Greystone Heath, an approved school in Warrington, Cheshire. His predatory behavior persisted until around 1987, with distinct periods of abuse at different children’s homes.

The court heard that Laverack’s abuse was not a one-time occurrence but a recurring pattern, with three separate phases of misconduct at different institutions. Despite brief periods of control, he repeatedly reverted to child abuse, exploiting his authority each time. The judge highlighted that Laverack believed he could get away with his crimes, aided by systemic failures and the silence of his victims, who were threatened or manipulated into silence.

As the court proceedings concluded, the public gallery erupted in applause, with victims and supporters expressing relief and a sense of justice. Judge Daniel offered words of comfort to the survivors, hoping that the verdict would bring some measure of solace after years of suffering. The courtroom’s atmosphere was tense but resolute, as the weight of justice was finally served against a man whose actions had caused irreparable harm to countless children in Cambridgeshire and beyond.