Carl Beech – From Accuser to Accused

In November 2014, an investigation was launched into ‘possible homicide’ and a potential paedophile ring involving senior military, politics and law enforcement figures.[i]

A ‘key witness’ spoke to police with regards to this and went to the press to document exactly what events had transpired. Under the alias ‘Nick’, the alleged victim gave details on how he suffered severe sexual abuse for nine years at the hands of ‘very powerful people’.

He also alleged that three children who had been the victims of unsolved murder cases were killed by the paedophile ring.

‘Nick’ was Carl Beech. Carl Beech is a fraudster, a deceiver and a convicted paedophile.

Carl Beech

Beech, 51, fabricated the claims regarding the homicidal VIP paedophile ring and in-turn cost Scotland Yard millions of pounds in their Operation Midlands investigation. His accusations also tarnished the reputations of many innocent public figures, among them were former Labour MP Lord Janner, ex-MI6 boss Sir Maurice Oldfield and even former prime minister Sir Edward Heath.

He has now been found guilty of twelve counts of perverting the course of justice and one count of fraud over a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claim worth £22,000.

The CICA was established to compensate blameless victims of violent crimes, including physical and sexual assaults, who had exhausted all other means to claim. The compensation that a victim receives can help them get their lives back on track. While no amount of money can heal the trauma overnight, it can go a long way in improving their recovery.

By claiming the vast sum of money from the CICA, Carl Beech has not only made a mockery of the system, he has also removed funding from an organisation created with the intentions of helping real victims who are in need. He has, in essence, taken time and money which could, and should, have been awarded to people who have actually suffered.

As someone who represents such blameless victims on a day-to-day basis, understands the trauma that they have sustained and is fully aware of their need for compensation, this is a story that leaves me with an extremely sour taste. This comes at a time where the CICA is currently undergoing a full review of their scheme in order to provide a higher level of assistance and care to victims.

In a separate Trial in January, Beech pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism, one count of possessing indecent images of children and four counts of making indecent photographs of children. In an effort to avoid this charge, he attempted to frame his teenage son for the crime, which included him spying on a teenager urinating and secretly concealing twenty-eight child abuse images of the most serious category on an app disguised as a calculator on his iPad.

Beech later changed his plea and accepted responsibility for these crimes.

Carl Beech also gave talks to children as young as five regarding the dangers of abuse on behalf of the NSPCC. He spoke to key stage 1 and 2 pupils at primary schools in Herefordshire as part of the NSPCC’s Speak Out Stay Safe scheme. In doing so, Beech has caused ‘a great deal of damage’ according to Peter Saunders, the founder of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC).

The impact of Beech’s actions should not be understated but they also should not act as a deterrent for genuine survivors from coming forward. It is important a robust approach be taken in reacting to this case and sensationalist statements and headlines should be avoided.

Fay Maxted, the chief executive of the Survivors’ Trust stated: “It’s absolutely crucial that one case like this, which has been so high-profile and captured everyone’s attention, does not actually get in the way of the many thousands upon thousands of survivors who have had horrendous experiences. They deserve a fair and just response and that’s all people ask for.

If you or a friend have been affected by any of the matters discussed above, please see the following National Helplines and websites of services who support survivors of sexual violence and child abuse:

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
Tel: 0808 801 0331
Napac Website

SupportLine
Tel: 01708 765200
SupportLine Website

SurvivorsUK Helpline Web Chat
Survivors UK Website

WHAT TO DO NEXT

For further information about the CICA and how to bring a claim, get in touch today for a free initial consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9787 to find out how we can help you.