TERRY GOODHALL'S HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN BIRMINGHAM AND MARGATE
| Red Rose Database
Birmingham Margate Child Sexual Abuser
In August 2005, a deeply disturbing case of child sexual abuse emerged involving Terry Goodhall, a man linked to Birmingham and Margate, who inflicted unimaginable suffering on vulnerable teenagers under his supposed care.
John, a 14-year-old boy living in a children’s home, found himself at the mercy of Goodhall, who was entrusted with his supervision at the Tennal Assessment Centre in Birmingham. Instead of providing support or guidance, Goodhall subjected John to a series of heinous sexual assaults that would leave lasting scars. John later moved to Wales seeking a fresh start, but the trauma persisted.
In March 2002, Terry Goodhall, then residing in Margate, Kent, admitted to 15 counts of abuse committed while he was working at Tennal. His actions led to an eight-year prison sentence. The abuse he carried out was part of one of Britain’s most notorious child-sex scandals, centered around the Tennal Assessment Centre, which closed its doors in 1984.
Alongside four other men—Colin Jeneson, Peter Brook, Eugene Devoti, and Arthur Birch—Goodhall believed they had evaded justice after the centre’s closure. However, in 1999, a comprehensive police investigation uncovered the extent of their crimes. The operation revealed a widespread campaign of sexual abuse, resulting in the imprisonment of all five men for a combined total of 37 years.
As a consequence of this scandal, Birmingham City Council paid out approximately £1 million in compensation to 94 victims. John, now living in Rhyl, received a settlement of £7,000 but is still awaiting an official apology from the authorities for the suffering he endured.
John has courageously chosen to waive his right to anonymity to shed light on the full extent of the abuse that went unnoticed for decades. He shared his harrowing story, revealing that he grew up in Wolverhampton with his twin brother, George, and three sisters. His father, described as a “loveable rogue,” influenced his early life, which included petty crimes such as shoplifting.
By 1977, at just 14 years old, John had been in and out of detention centers. After another run-in with the law, he was sent to Tennal, where his brother soon followed. Initially, John thought the centre resembled a holiday camp, but his perception changed upon meeting Terry Goodhall, who introduced himself as his careworker.
Goodhall, a 27-year-old former England water polo player, was physically imposing and stood out due to his false front teeth, which he manipulated with his tongue, creating a disturbing sucking sound that John recalls vividly.
Within just two weeks of his arrival, Goodhall began to exploit his position of trust. John recounted that he was only 14 and unaware of what was happening, choosing to remain silent out of fear. Goodhall would find ways to isolate John, often using excuses such as illness to be alone with him. One particular incident involved John being confined to his bed with tonsillitis, when Goodhall entered the dormitory and initiated the abuse.
John described feeling paralyzed with fear during these assaults, which occurred every few days over an 18-month period until he finally left the home. The trauma has haunted him ever since, manifesting in nightmares and affecting his relationships with his own children. He expressed anger and a desire for justice, stating that if he saw Goodhall now, he might even kill him.
His story underscores the tragic failure of the system to protect vulnerable children and the long-lasting impact of such abuse. Despite the passage of years, John’s courage in speaking out highlights the importance of justice and accountability in cases of institutional abuse.
John, a 14-year-old boy living in a children’s home, found himself at the mercy of Goodhall, who was entrusted with his supervision at the Tennal Assessment Centre in Birmingham. Instead of providing support or guidance, Goodhall subjected John to a series of heinous sexual assaults that would leave lasting scars. John later moved to Wales seeking a fresh start, but the trauma persisted.
In March 2002, Terry Goodhall, then residing in Margate, Kent, admitted to 15 counts of abuse committed while he was working at Tennal. His actions led to an eight-year prison sentence. The abuse he carried out was part of one of Britain’s most notorious child-sex scandals, centered around the Tennal Assessment Centre, which closed its doors in 1984.
Alongside four other men—Colin Jeneson, Peter Brook, Eugene Devoti, and Arthur Birch—Goodhall believed they had evaded justice after the centre’s closure. However, in 1999, a comprehensive police investigation uncovered the extent of their crimes. The operation revealed a widespread campaign of sexual abuse, resulting in the imprisonment of all five men for a combined total of 37 years.
As a consequence of this scandal, Birmingham City Council paid out approximately £1 million in compensation to 94 victims. John, now living in Rhyl, received a settlement of £7,000 but is still awaiting an official apology from the authorities for the suffering he endured.
John has courageously chosen to waive his right to anonymity to shed light on the full extent of the abuse that went unnoticed for decades. He shared his harrowing story, revealing that he grew up in Wolverhampton with his twin brother, George, and three sisters. His father, described as a “loveable rogue,” influenced his early life, which included petty crimes such as shoplifting.
By 1977, at just 14 years old, John had been in and out of detention centers. After another run-in with the law, he was sent to Tennal, where his brother soon followed. Initially, John thought the centre resembled a holiday camp, but his perception changed upon meeting Terry Goodhall, who introduced himself as his careworker.
Goodhall, a 27-year-old former England water polo player, was physically imposing and stood out due to his false front teeth, which he manipulated with his tongue, creating a disturbing sucking sound that John recalls vividly.
Within just two weeks of his arrival, Goodhall began to exploit his position of trust. John recounted that he was only 14 and unaware of what was happening, choosing to remain silent out of fear. Goodhall would find ways to isolate John, often using excuses such as illness to be alone with him. One particular incident involved John being confined to his bed with tonsillitis, when Goodhall entered the dormitory and initiated the abuse.
John described feeling paralyzed with fear during these assaults, which occurred every few days over an 18-month period until he finally left the home. The trauma has haunted him ever since, manifesting in nightmares and affecting his relationships with his own children. He expressed anger and a desire for justice, stating that if he saw Goodhall now, he might even kill him.
His story underscores the tragic failure of the system to protect vulnerable children and the long-lasting impact of such abuse. Despite the passage of years, John’s courage in speaking out highlights the importance of justice and accountability in cases of institutional abuse.