STUART BROOKER AND THE HORRORS OF FORDE PARK SCHOOL IN SOUTH DEVON

In February 1999, a disturbing chapter in the history of Forde Park Approved School in south Devon has come to light, revealing allegations of widespread abuse and neglect that have left a lasting scar on its former pupils. The revelations have prompted renewed calls for justice and accountability, as survivors and their advocates demand thorough investigations into the dark secrets of this once notorious institution.

One of the most prominent figures linked to the abuse at Forde Park is Stuart Brooker, a man who previously worked as a general staff member at the school. Brooker’s name has become synonymous with the allegations of sexual misconduct, as survivors have identified him as a key perpetrator. In 1990, Brooker was convicted at Exeter Crown Court of multiple sex offences, a conviction that underscored the severity of his crimes. After his departure from Forde Park, he went on to work at a council-run home in south Devon, raising fears that his predatory behavior may have continued in other settings.

The allegations against Brooker are part of a broader pattern of abuse that survivors claim persisted for over two decades at Forde Park. Many of these victims, now adults, have come forward with harrowing stories of physical and sexual abuse, often reporting that their complaints were ignored or dismissed at the time. Despite their efforts to report the abuse to social workers and authorities, survivors say there is no official record of their complaints in social service files, raising questions about the handling and oversight of these cases.

Survivors have been supported by their Members of Parliament, who are now calling for a formal public inquiry into the matter. They argue that Forde Park was not an isolated incident but part of a larger, organized network of abuse. Andy Kershaw, a spokesperson for the survivors’ group, explained, “Forde Park was not an isolated case. What we are talking about is a clever, well-organized paedophile ring.”

Many of the survivors’ allegations focus on a core group of six men, with Stuart Brooker being the most publicly known due to his criminal record. The group’s activities allegedly extended beyond the school, with survivors claiming that other abusers secured positions at schools in Exeter and Bristol. This has led to fears that boys in care across the south-west of England may have been victimized over many years.

One survivor, who was sent to Forde Park at the age of 10 after stealing £4 from his mother’s purse, recounted his traumatic experiences. He described being beaten and humiliated within days of arriving at the school. He was subjected to physical punishment, including being placed in a boxing ring and beaten until he bled, and being caned in front of other students when he attempted to escape. His account details a cycle of abuse that left him emotionally scarred and unable to form healthy relationships with women later in life.

Another former pupil, Mark Speed, who was at Forde Park in 1976 at age 13, reported being sexually abused by a teacher during camping trips. He recounted an incident where the teacher stripped him naked and subjected him to a so-called ‘medical’ examination. Despite reporting the incident to police, the teacher denied the allegations, and the case was effectively hushed up, leaving the survivor feeling betrayed and helpless.

Legal actions are now underway, with a former unnamed pupil receiving legal aid to sue Devon County Council for damages and loss of earnings, citing abuse suffered at Forde Park and other institutions. The police, however, have been criticized for their slow response. Steve Webb, MP for Northavon, who has two constituents who attended the school, stated that police had interviewed around 100 former pupils and that arrests were “imminent,” though no formal charges have yet been announced.

Webb emphasized the importance of understanding not only the criminal acts committed but also the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to occur. He questioned why no qualifications were awarded to students and why complaints from victims were seemingly ignored. Next month, Webb plans to meet with the Junior Health Minister, John Hutton, to discuss the survivors’ concerns and to seek access to files held by the Department of Health, which inherited records from the Home Office.

In recent correspondence, the Department of Health initially claimed they had no files on individuals at Forde Park, but later officials acknowledged that they did hold some records. The survivors, including Nigel Hare, who is now 37, are preparing to give formal statements to police. Hare, who was sent to Forde Park at age 10 after running away from a council home, expressed skepticism about the investigation’s impartiality. He pointed out that although he had been on the disability register since 1994, police only contacted him last month, and he fears that the police are too close to the case to conduct an unbiased inquiry.

Hare’s traumatic experiences at Forde Park began shortly after his arrival. He recalls being placed in a boxing ring and beaten until he bled, being locked in a cell, and being humiliated in the cold. He also recounts a disturbing incident involving Mr X, a part-time teacher responsible for excursions, who took him into the woods during a trip to Dartmoor and assaulted him. Hare describes how Mr X later began to interfere with him regularly, including attempts to coerce him into sexual acts, which everyone at the school seemed to ignore or dismiss.

The ongoing investigation and the survivors’ efforts to seek justice highlight the dark legacy of Forde Park Approved School. As more victims come forward and the inquiry progresses, questions remain about the extent of the abuse, the failure of authorities to act sooner, and the need for accountability for those responsible. The community and survivors alike await further developments, hoping that truth and justice will finally be served.