MEDOMSLEY DETENTION CENTRE ABUSE SCANDAL SHOCKS COUNTY DURHAM
The harrowing story of systemic abuse at Medomsley detention centre in County Durham has come to light, revealing decades of neglect, cover-ups, and tragic consequences for numerous young men.Kevin Young, now 52, vividly recalls his traumatic experience at the facility in 1977, a time when he was just 17 years old.
His account underscores the profound and lasting impact that the abuse inflicted upon him and others, and raises serious questions about oversight and accountability within the prison system.
Young describes himself as a boy with a troubled past, having been taken into care twice and subjected to both sexual and physical abuse by those entrusted with his care.
Yet, his time at Medomsley marked a new level of horror.
Sent there for a three-month detention after being convicted of receiving stolen property—a watch given to him by his brother—Young's life was forever altered by what followed.
The day after his arrival, he was lining up for breakfast when Neville Husband, an officer responsible for the kitchen, singled him out.
Young later learned that Husband had requested access to his personal file, seemingly to gather information about his background and potential visitors, indicating a disturbing level of interest in his personal life.
Young recounts that Husband was one of a select few inmates assigned to work in the kitchen, but his role extended far beyond that.
He explains, “There are two things that are important to successfully sexually abuse somebody.
One, silence—if you can’t do it without people knowing, you’re not going to get away with it for long.
The second is having a victim who’s ‘reliable’—someone who’s already been abused to the point where they believe no one will believe them if they speak out.” Despite reports labeling Young as a troublemaker, he insists he was a quiet, obedient boy, and believes that no one would have believed his story.
What followed over the next two months was a series of brutal and repeated assaults.
Young describes being raped multiple times, tied up, and ligatured around the neck.
Neville Husband took him to a storeroom above the kitchens, which he had converted into a lounge, locked the door, and stuffed tissues into the keyhole.
Young recalls feeling certain he was going to be killed, especially after Husband told him that six boys had already hanged themselves that year at Medomsley.
The abuse was not limited to Husband alone; Young alleges that Husband was so confident in his actions that he took him out of the prison against his will to his private house just outside the gates.
There, Young was blindfolded, ligatured, and made to lie on the stairs while multiple other men raped him.
He describes seeing them from beneath the blindfold, and recounts how Husband, a large and powerful man, was an expert at turning the rope around his neck until he passed out.
The most disturbing aspect of this story is that Neville Husband’s predatory behavior was known to the authorities long before Young’s ordeal.
In 1969, eight years prior to Young’s detention, Husband was arrested at Portland Borstal in Dorset for importing pornography, including sadomasochistic images involving teenage boys.
Despite admitting to showing such material to boys in his care, he claimed it was for research into homosexuality, and the charges were ultimately dropped.
His employment record was marked with this arrest, yet he continued his career, moving to Medomsley, the smallest detention centre in the country, where he continued to abuse boys aged between 16 and 19 for many years.
Victims and former staff have alleged that Husband’s abuse was ongoing, possibly every day during his tenure.
Dr.
Elie Godsi, a former senior psychologist for the Home Office, testified in a civil case brought by Young and other victims, describing the case as one of the worst he had encountered in 17 years of working with sex offenders.
Over four decades after Husband’s initial abuse, more men have come forward, revealing how their lives were shattered.
Some victims received compensation, but many feel it is insufficient and question how Husband was allowed to continue his misconduct for so long, despite suspicions and evidence that should have prompted intervention.
Kevin Young’s release from Medomsley on June 17, 1977, was followed by an attempt to report his abuse.
He went directly to Consett police station, where he explained the assaults and showed the marks on his neck from ligature.
However, he was told that making such allegations against a prison officer was a criminal offense because he was on licence, and he was threatened with being returned to Medomsley.
Terrified, Young quickly withdrew from the investigation and tried to suppress his memories.
He managed to rebuild his life, becoming a successful businessman owning cafes and furniture stores, and even joining a punk rock band.
Yet, the trauma resurfaced in 1996 when he was involved in a police chase in York and suddenly recognized Husband, who had since become a minister.
The sight triggered a breakdown, and Young collapsed, overwhelmed by the re-emergence of his past.
He describes how Husband spat into his mouth and humiliated him, an act that left him shattered and haunted.
This encounter led Young into substance abuse, including heavy cocaine use, which cost him his relationships, his home, and his stability.
Years later, police investigations finally linked Husband to his crimes.
Young’s testimony contributed to the arrest and eventual conviction of Husband, who was found to have been involved in child pornography and other abuse.
Despite this, questions remain about why authorities failed to act earlier, given the evidence of Husband’s obsession with child pornography dating back to the 1960s and 70s.
Records show that in 1985, police raided Medomsley and seized films and photographs of victims, yet no action was taken at the time.
Husband’s career continued in the prison service, moving to adult and young offenders institutions, where further allegations of abuse surfaced.
He was finally convicted in 2003 of abusing five young male inmates between 1974 and 1984, receiving an eight-year sentence.
His sentence was later increased to ten years after additional victims came forward.
Despite this, he was released in 2009 after serving just over half his sentence and died of natural causes a year later.
The failure to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into Medomsley’s abuse remains a point of outrage for victims and advocates alike.
Former staff and officials, including James Millar Reid and Tim Newell, have been scrutinized for their roles during the period of abuse.
Some, like Newell, are accused of supporting Husband’s continued employment despite rumors and evidence of misconduct.
Others, including former director-general Martin Narey, claim ignorance of the extent of Husband’s offenses, though critics argue that institutional complacency allowed the abuse to persist.
Today, victims like Steve and Richard Hall continue to grapple with the trauma.
Steve, who now lives in fear, has dedicated years to seeking justice and acknowledgment, often monitoring his home with CCTV.
Hall, who received compensation after a lengthy legal battle, remains deeply scarred, battling depression and suicidal thoughts.
Both express frustration and anger over the lack of accountability and the failure of the system to protect vulnerable boys from predators like Neville Husband.
As the scandal unfolds, calls for a full public inquiry grow louder.
Victims demand acknowledgment, justice, and an honest reckoning of how such abuse could have been allowed to happen for so many years.
The legacy of Medomsley serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance, transparency, and accountability in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.
