Ex teachers go on trial over boarding school abuse

The allegations over the now-closed cover date from the late 1970s to the early 1990s

Six former staff members at a boarding school for boys with learning difficulties have gone on trial accused of multiple child abuse offences linked to an alleged "culture of neglect".

A jury was told alleged victims at the now-closed Rhydd Court School in Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, were aged as young as eight.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC told Birmingham Crown Court that pupils suffered emotional, physical and sexual abuse on a "systematic scale".

All six defendants have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit child cruelty between January 1979 and July 1991.

Michael Connor, 71, John Dixon, 84, Terence Heath, 76, Marie Handy, 52, Charmaine James, 64, and 78-year-old David Sykes are on trial.

Other staff members alleged to have been involved, including head teacher James Moore, have since died, the court heard, while another is currently outside the jurisdiction of the court.

'Cruel culture'

Ms Karmy-Jones said children had experienced abuse at the hands of other children studying at the school.

She said those working there had "allowed a cruel culture of neglect and ill-treatment to flourish... virtually unchecked".

"The prosecution say these defendants were part of a group of teachers and staff members who were aware of what was going on, but did little or nothing to prevent it," she told the court.

"Rather they used it to their own advantage, going on to commit similar offences against the children themselves."

Jurors heard the council-run school would accommodate about 90 pupils aged between eight and 18 with special educational needs at any one time.

• Former deputy head teacher Mr Heath, of Hanley Castle, Worcester, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to indecently assault; two counts of conspiracy to commit a serious sexual offence; and conspiracy to commit child cruelty.

• Ex-Rhyadd Court senior master Mr Connor, of Crofton, Wakefield, is charged with indecent assault, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three counts of conspiracy to commit a serious sexual offence, three counts of conspiracy to commit indecent assault, and conspiracy to commit child cruelty.

• Mr Dixon, a former woodwork and metalwork teacher, of Burgh Le Marsh, Skegness, is charged with four counts of a serious sexual offence, two counts of conspiracy to commit the same serious sexual offence, six counts of indecent assault, and two counts of conspiracy to commit child cruelty.

• Former art teacher Mr Sykes, of Rotherham, is charged with grievous bodily harm without intent, indecent assault, and conspiracy to commit child cruelty.

• Ex house mother Ms James, of Rathven, Banffshire, also denies two counts of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child. She worked at the school as a house-mother between 1983 and 1990.

• Ms Handy also employed as a house-mother, of Eckington Road, Bredon, Tewkesbury, who is charged with indecent assault and conspiracy to commit child cruelty.