PATRICK GRANT AND PHILIP COLLINS SENTENCED FOR ABUSE AT SURBITON AND SOUTH WALES CHILDREN'S HOMES

In a significant case that has shocked the community, Patrick Grant, aged 69, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault committed against young boys during the 1970s and 1980s. The crimes took place across several residential children’s homes, including Fircroft Children’s Home in Surbiton, Rowan House in South Norwood, and Walker House in Cardiff, South Wales. Grant was employed at these facilities during the time of the offenses and was often referred to as the 'house father' due to his role and responsibilities within these establishments.

Victims of Grant were able to identify him with relative ease, citing his distinctive physical appearance, his interest in playing the piano, and his name as key identifiers. The abuse inflicted upon these young boys has been described as deeply traumatic, with the victims coming forward after many years to seek justice.

Alongside Grant, Philip Collins, aged 73, was also convicted of serious offenses. During a trial, Collins was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault on a single victim, with these incidents occurring at Fircroft Children’s Home. Collins held the position of head of the center at the time and also served as a part-time special police constable based at Esher police station. His sentencing is scheduled for 23 April at Inner London Crown Court.

It was revealed during the trial that Collins had a prior conviction for similar offenses committed against other children under his care at different homes. These previous convictions were introduced as supporting evidence, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior. The police investigation uncovered numerous home videos showing Collins wearing multiple gold rings, which was a notable detail since Collins had claimed he only wore a single gold wedding band. One of the victims remembered Collins as someone who would wear a handful of gold rings, a detail that helped identify him.

The case also revealed a disturbing incident where both Grant and Collins sexually assaulted a young victim together in a bathroom at Fircroft Children’s Home. During this assault, Grant was actively abusing the boy when Collins entered the room. Instead of intervening or protecting the victim, Collins chose to join in the assault, further compounding the trauma inflicted.

The victim recounted that he attempted to tell others about the abuse, but Grant and Collins ridiculed him, telling him that no one would believe his story. This intimidation and manipulation were part of a broader pattern of abuse and control exercised by the perpetrators.

On Thursday, 11 April, at Inner London Crown Court, Patrick Grant was formally sentenced to eight years in prison. Philip Collins’s sentencing will follow at a later date. The convictions came after a trial that concluded in February, bringing long-overdue justice for the victims and shedding light on the abuse that took place within these children’s homes in Surbiton, South Norwood, and Cardiff.