Government issues official apology regarding historic abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre. Compensation scheme is still open.
In the wake of the publication of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) report, published on the 12th of November 2025, we are now accepting enquiries relating to abuse at the infamous Medomsley Detention Centre.
Official Government apology over abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre
The Government has issued an official apology in response to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) report and its revelations of systemic failures to safeguard young male detainees.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Jake Richard MP, stated:
“The ‘short, sharp, shock’ policy of the day contributed to a culture whereby this type of abuse was wrongfully accepted.
“There were shocking and systemic failures which meant those in positions of power were complicit or did not act when reports of abuse were made to them.”
You can read the Government’s full apology regarding abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre here.
Is the Medomsley Detention Centre compensation scheme still open?
Yes, the Medomsley Detention Centre compensation scheme is still open and accepting new claims. To make a start today or for more information, contact us on 0113 200 9720.
Key findings of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) report
In the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) report, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Adrian Usher, breaks down a number of matters which demonstrate the scale of the abuse that took place:
- 2,852 claims alleging physical or sexual abuse at Medomsley were received, as of August 2025
- 549 sexual abuse allegations were made, of which 388 named Neville Husband. Only 50 of the claims did not name him as the primary abuser.
- Staff were aware of the abuse and joked about it
- Sex toys and pornography were found in one of Husband’s kitchens
- Husband had much influence despite his low rank, and he also carried out attacks alongside his colleague, Leslie Johnston.
- Evidence suggests that a local police officer was also involved in the abuse
- Inmates, aged between 17 and 21, experienced regular violence, with staff encouraging it.
What happened at Medomsley Detention Centre?
Over 2,000 male victims have come forward with reports of physical and sexual abuse by staff at Medomsley Detention Centre over an almost three decade period.
Various police operations have been carried out over the years, resulting in several arrests, charges and sentences as a result.
Who was Neville Husband?
One of the key names in the unfortunate history of Medomsley Detention Centre is Neville Husband, who alongside other staff at the facility, systematically abused hundreds of young men and boys who they were supposedly caring for.
According to the report, abuse by Neville Husband occurred at Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham, between 1961 and 1987. Husband worked there at the time as a caterer and died in 2010.
Neville Husband was first arrested in 1999 under the Met Police’s Operation voice. 30 ‘hardcore pornographic videos’ were recovered from his home at the time, but the case was dismissed due to delays in obtaining a specialist witness.
It has also been alleged due to evidence unearthed that Husband neither began his ways nor ended them at Medomsley, through his time as a Scout troop leader and later a Sunday school teacher leading up to his roles within the prison service.
Before he even began his career at Medomsley Detention Centre, Husband was under investigation over indecent images depicting sexual activity between two men.
After his time at Medomsley, he was transferred to Deerbolt Youth Custody Centre in 1987, and then onto HMP Frankland. Evidence also suggests that he was kept from returning to a prior detention centre because staff were aware of his abuse perpetrated in the kitchens.
Operation Halter 1, Operation Halter 2 and Operation Seabrook were conducted by Durham Constabulary between 2001 and 2003, with Operation Halter 1 and 2 bringing 27 charges against Husband from 24 victims. He received a ten year prison sentence but was released from HMP Full Sutton in 2009, the year before he died.
Who was Leslie Johnston?
Leslie Johnston had 33 allegations of sexual abuse made against him, where he acted alone in two-thirds of the claims but was named alongside Husband in the remaining claims. Before joining Medomsley, there is no evidence to suggest that Johnston was responsible for any sexual offences.
The most recently reported offences against Johnstone occurred in 1985, where he was later convicted of one of them and sentenced to nine months in prison for two counts of indecent assault in 1990. He died in 2007 and thus didn’t live long enough to see the commencement of Operation Seabrook.
Further police investigation and convictions
Operation Seabrook was launched in the August of 2013, by Durham Constabulary. It was investigating the systemic physical and sexual abuse which occurred at Medomsley over the nearly thirty year period. 2,077 victims stepped forward.
As a result of this, nine people were charged but one died before a trial took place. Six were found guilty. Kevin Blakeley, Alan Bramley, Brian Johnson Greenwell, John McGee and Christopher Onslow received a total of 18 months in 2019 for the abuse of young men whilst working at Medomsley.
Alexander Flavell was sentenced in 2023 was found guilty of indecent assault of a young detainee, as well as misconduct in a public office.
Who is eligible to claim for abuse?
Anyone who physically abused whilst being detained at Medomsley Detention Centre is eligible to make a claim for compensation.
Our team specialises in such claims and will happily go through the circumstances of individual survivors of abuse if simply get in touch on 0113 200 9720. All enquiries are handled in complete confidence.
What evidence do I need to make a claim?
Having reported it to the police will aid your claim, as not only will you have a crime incident number, but the matter will have also been brought to light officially to the authorities.
Our team will go over any additional details that may aid your case on an individual basis.
How much compensation can Medomsley survivors receive?
There are three categories of compensation award:
- Category 1: A claimant who was physically abused whilst being detained at Medomsley for 3 months or less will receive a payment of compensation in the sum of £1,750.
- Category 2: A claimant who was physically abused whilst being detained at Medomsley for more than 3 months will receive a payment of compensation in the sum of £2,500.
- Category 3: Where a claimant can provide medical evidence to show that they sustained a lasting physical or psychological injury as a direct result of their treatment at Medomsley, they will receive a payment of compensation of between £3,000 and £5,000. For an injury to be accepted as a ‘lasting injury’, the injury must have persisted for a significant period of time beyond the period of detention and may include injuries such as fractures, dislocations, scarring, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or symptoms of PTSD.
What can victims claim for?
Our specialist team is currently bringing claims for:
- Physical and sexual abuse suffered at Medomsley
- Institutional negligence and failure to protect
- Psychological harm resulting from state abuse and cover-ups
- Breach of human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
We understand that coming forward can be difficult, but you are not alone. All discussions are confidential, handled with care and respect, and most cases can proceed on a no-win, no-fee basis.
How do I start a Medomsley abuse claim and what happens next?
Give Oakwood Solicitors a call on 0113 200 9720, and a member of our team will talk your circumstances through with you. There is no obligation to proceed, and if we are instructed to take action for you, most cases are eligible to be put forward on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis.
We will then work with you to build your case up and present your claim for submission to the official abuse claim scheme. Your case handler will be on hand throughout every step of the process, and will be available to answer your questions and ease any concerns in complete confidentiality.
Is there a deadline for Medomsley abuse claims?
Currently there is no deadline to make an enquiry, though if you are considering it we would suggest doing so only when you feel up to it.
Making a claim is harder for some people than others, as it can bring old traumas and emotions to the surface. If in doubt, raise any concerns with your GP or healthcare professional.
How can Oakwood Solicitors help?
Our team has extensive experience in handling claims of historic abuse, and we have a fully in-house team dedicated to helping clients to successfully claim compensation.
Our knowledge and resources have also led us to pursue compensation claims for abuse survivors detained at Eastwood Park, Kirklevington and Usk. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 0113 200 9720.
How can I get support?
There are charities and organisations on hand if you need additional help to get you through a difficult time.
If you have concerns about your mental health, contact your GP. In an emergency, contact 999.
Further reading
Medomsley Detention Centre abuse claims – Oakwood Solicitors
PPO report – Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Official government apology – Jake Richards MP
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you have suffered historical abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre, contact our in-house team of experts who specialise in claims of this nature on 0113 200 9720, or fill in the contact form at the top of this page.
Your matter will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality, and we pride ourselves on treating clients with the dignity and compassion they deserve.
Carol Cook joined Oakwood Solicitors in May 2017 to lead the Medical Negligence Department.
Carol handles a wide range of clinical, cosmetic and dental negligence claims and has years of experi…
