Man urges victims to come forward

James Cleverley outside Beechwood Children's Home in the Mapperley area of Nottingham
14 July 2013

A man who claims he was sexually abused at a former council-run children's home has said he hopes more victims will come forward.

James Cleverley, 52, said he suffered six years of abuse at the Beechwood Children's Home in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, that began when he was aged 10.

He has waived his right to anonymity, saying he hopes speaking out will help bring the perpetrators to justice. His claims follow more than 50 allegations of historical physical or sexual abuse at the former home, which closed in 2006.

Mr Cleverley, of Netherfield in Nottinghamshire, said: "This might make people stop and think hey, whoa, I was in there. It happened to me." He added: "Some of them that had it done to them and haven't come forward, now they know they can."

The former fairground worker claims he was forced to carry out sex acts on staff and told police about the abuse but no action was ever taken. He said: "I told the police because I used to run away. Every time they brought me back I used to always say to the policeman: 'Don't take me back there'."

Mr Cleverley said he has struggled throughout his adult life to deal with the emotional effects of the abuse and would like those responsible brought to justice - charged, put on trial, and punished. He added: "You're put in there for them to look after you, not abuse you."

Nottinghamshire Police said they are investigating claims that people were abused at the home, and some of the allegations date back nearly 30 years. It is not the first time the establishment has hit the headlines. In 2011 six alleged victims came forward saying they had suffered abuse at Beechwood.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said allegations relating to three other homes in the county were also being investigated. They are Bracken House in Bulwell, Ranskill Gardens in Bestwood, and Wood Nook in Beechdale. Officers are also looking at claims relating to Risley Hall in Derbyshire.

Detective inspector Yvonne Dales said: "This is a thorough but complicated and sensitive investigation and the allegations are historic which in some cases relate to events which are said to have taken place nearly 30 years ago.

"We have experienced officers on the investigation team who are working hard on this case which presents many challenges, such as the difficulties around obtaining forensic and corroborative evidence, along with the fact that some of the alleged perpetrators have since died."

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