The Tragic Magic Circle – Scotlands Shameful Child Sexual Abuse Scandal Continues

cathy fox blog on child abuse

Tales from Scottish Legal La La Land

Step Forwards without Fear

A man was arrested on Valentines Day and is still in jail on remand in Scotland, with bail having been refused on 3 occasions [99a] . What is it about this softly spoken genteel 68 year old man that has caused the Scottish establishment to arrange his incarceration for the second time?

Why does Alex Salmond continue to break the law, defy the Information Commissioner and refuse to hand over the information that was given to him and the date it was given? [109][110].

What is the connection between this mans imprisonment and the following?
Four Sheriffs and partners,
Two ex partners of Sheriffs
Two High Court judges and partners
Two Procurator Fiscals and partners
Six ex partners of Procurator Fiscals
Sixteen court staff
Thirty seven staff from Scottish government departments
Seventeen primary school teachers.
The answer…

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The GB And LB Films.

Many thanks to RD for sharing this with me.

Much has been made recently about this entry in The London Gazette about the seizure of indecent material by Customs and Excise at Dover in 1982.

London Gazette

What does LB stand for ? What does GB10 stand for ?

RD supplies a very plausible explanation for GB10 at least. GB10 is likely to be an abbreviation of the name of a Golden Boys film. These featured the abuse of boys and were produced by COQ.

“Almost all other magazines consisted of photographs sent in by individuals. In order to avoid criminal proceedings for indecent assault or sexual abuse of children, some publishers used only photographs made in other countries. The same applies to films. Many films were produced by the firm COQ in Holbaek in Denmark, under the title Golden Boys. The ambiance (clothing, landscape, housing style) of various films we saw suggests that these were made in the United States, possibly in the West”.

IPT Journal

This then begs the question, if GB is not the initials of an offender featured in the movie then  isn’t it plausible that LB could stand for  ‘Lover Boys’ part of a series of films, very similar in nature to Golden Boys?  Lover Boys films were “produced” by Color Climax of Amsterdam

I hate to be the one who in recent months has played the role of critical skeptic, I want to see offenders arrested like everyone else but I think that too many people are not looking at the evidence critically themselves.

I’d urge caution when reading any sensationalist story concerning the nature and content of these films. Ultimately, it will be hard evidence that will see VIP child abusers arrested and not coincidences however intriguing they are.

Purple Rain

Savile: Historical child protection investigations

Many children’s homes but not Haut de la Garenne ?

Written statement to Parliament, Department for Education, delivered on 27 March 2014 by Michael Gove

Education Secretary’s statement regarding investigations relating to Jimmy Savile and a number of children’s homes and schools in England.

I wish to inform the House that the Department for Education has received information about Jimmy Savile relating to several children’s homes and schools in England, dating back to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. This information was uncovered as part of the document review process undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service on behalf of the Department of Health.

Having reviewed the information, I have decided that the Department for Education should pass the information to the appropriate organisations for further investigation. In most cases the work will be conducted by the relevant local authority; in others the relevant institution or a legacy organisation will take the lead.

In order to ensure consistency of approach with the NHS Savile investigations, I am replicating the arrangements adopted by the Department of Health to quality assure the work. I have appointed Lucy Scott-Moncrieff to provide independent oversight and quality assurance of the process, undertaking a similar role to that of Kate Lampard in the NHS trust investigations. I have asked Lucy Scott-Moncrieff to ensure that investigating organisations take all practicable steps to establish what happened and why at the time of the incidents, and any lessons there might be to inform current safeguarding practice in our schools and children’s homes.

I will inform the House of the outcome of this work.

Information has been provided to responsible organisations as set out in the table below:

gov.uk

 Claims Jimmy Savile abused children at 21 children’s homes and schools in England must be investigated by local authorities, the government has said.

The allegations concern institutions in Yorkshire, London, Manchester, Kent, Surrey and Devon, among others, and relate to the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the Department for Education said.

The information was uncovered as part of a review by the Met Police.

Police have said Savile abused more than 200 people over six decades.

The former BBC DJ and presenter died in October 2011, aged 84, before the sex abuse allegations came to light.

BBC News

“Finlayson-Newman Report”: Listen – Take Seriously What They Say (1993) Lothian

cathy fox blog on child abuse

City of Edinburgh Council have released the “Finlayson-Newman Report”:
Listen – Take Seriously What They Say (1993)  authored by Alan F Finlayson and Alison J Newman [1] prepared for John Chant, the Director of Social Work, Lothian Region. This was in response to a Freedom of Information Request [2].

The report was originally published in September 1993. It was in response to comments by Lord Caplan at the close of the trial of William Hogarth in July 1992. Hogarth was a residential care worker of the Social Work Department and was found guilty of 6 charges of assault over 7 homes and 3 childrens homes.

A review of present and planned arrangements for responding to complaints from young people in care with recommendations for further action.

The council also say that “Within the text there is regular reference made to “Shrubhill”. This is in fact Shrubhill House which was…

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Judge Mental: Judge Denis Watson

Judge Denis Watson QC

 

Judge Denis Watson QC gets the ‘Judge Mental’ award today for sentencing Andreas Bauminis, a Latvian national to only 8 months in prison despite the fact that he possessed an alleged snuff movie.

“A 20-minute ‘snuff’ video showed a 15-year-old girl being raped, strangled with a wire and apparently murdered before being wrapped in a plastic sheet and dragged out the room.”

Regardless of whether it was genuine or not, and the Judge having watched it thought it was genuine, anyone who would seek to get pleasure from such a video should receive a much greater custodial sentence than 8 months (out in 4 months).

It is also rather odd that a story that involves a ‘snuff’ movie, which must surely now be evidence in a potential murder inquiry somewhere in the world and a tip off from The Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation has only been reported in a few local newspapers. So, unusual did this seem to me that I had to contact Liverpool Crown Court and the Police myself to verify the details.

Well done to those news sites that have covered it.

A SHOCKING ‘snuff movie’ was found at the Skelmersdale home of a young factory worker along with other appalling child abuse images, a court has heard.

And a judge told Andreas Bauminis: “It is hard to imagine or contemplate a more grotesque, revolting, repulsive and inhuman series of images.”

The disgusting videos were discovered at the home of Bauminis following information from the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation about use of internet file sharing sites.

Police went to his home, which he shared with his brother’s family, including two children, in February last year and seized his computer tower.

Champion

Gay Rights Activist Brendan McGowan Jailed

Regular poster GW has posted:

The Rainbow project tells me, to paraphrase;

– They have reviewed their records of meetings, reports and membership lists and have found no evidence of McGowan as a member

– The group has spoken to founding members, who confirmed that McGowan was not involved

– He has never been a member nor held any roles, or carried out roles for the group.

– The group has strict vetting procedures and all staff and volunteers are required to undergo “AccessNI” checks.

 

A 69 year old Derry man who groomed a 12 year old schoolboy for his own sexual desires is beginning an 18 months jail sentence after admitting a number of sexual abuse offences at Derry Crown Court.

Brendan McGowan, from Brewsters Close in the William Street area of the city,  pleaded guilty to a total of nine charges,  including indecent assault,  committing an act of gross indecency with or towards the boy and inciting the boy to commit an act of gross indecency…

…The young victim was a fourth year in school when he realised what was happening was wrong and stopped seeing McGowan.

The court was told after not telling anyone for a number of years, he eventually reported the abuse to police when in May 2012.

The court also heard McGowan was a homosexual and had been to the forefront of setting up the Rainbow support group for gay people in the city.

Derry Daily

Can anyone tell me if this is the same ‘Rainbow Support Group’ that is funded by BBC Children in Need, The Northern Ireland Police Force, Derry City Council (for whom Brenden McGowen worked as a swimming instructor), and The National Lottery, among others ?

Is it this Rainbow Support Group ?

The one that offers support for ‘gay’ children ?

Ben Cowburn And The ‘X’ Factor.

Ben Cowburn

A popular TV comedian dedicated a performance to a teenage boy who had killed himself just months after allegedly being ‘groomed’ by the star.

An inquest has heard the gay comedian ‘took advantage’ of Ben Cowburn after introducing the fashion student to his ‘hedonistic lifestyle’, involving parties fuelled by alcohol and drugs.

But despite the serious nature of the accusations against the comedian, he was referred to simply as ‘Mr X’ during the inquest after the coroner backed an informal agreement to protect his name.

The Daily Mail

Weapon of Choice

Tony Benn’s Speech In The Iraq Debate

Two Tribes

The Friday Night Song.

Max Clifford Trial: Why Size Matters.

I don’t normally comment on cases during trials as it’s a legal minefield. Most MSM sources report everything that can be legally reported and there is normally very little I can add.

However, one thing that the prosecution often try to highlight in these kind of cases are similarities between independent witness testimony as this can demonstrate that the accused had a particular approach. This can often be seen to strengthen cases like this.

Below are three allegations set to be made under oath by three independent witnesses.

Max Clifford, Nothing to Hide ?

1) During an audition, Clifford exposed himself and said to the 19-year-old: ‘Look at my prick. Isn’t it tiny? What can I do with this?’ Afterwards, she received a call from a man with an Italian accent, who asked about Clifford’s penis. The prosecution says this was  Clifford, who went on to expose himself again during a second meeting.

2) Clifford invited the 18-year-old to audition for a role in Labyrinth, starring David Bowie, but said she would have to sleep her way to success. He told her he had a small penis, took down his trousers and added: ‘If you touch it, it gets bigger.’ The girl left and never spoke to Clifford again.

3) Clifford and another man allegedly approached the 18-year-old in a cafe and hired her as a secretary. Miss Cottage told the jury that he eventually approached his new employee while stark naked, and said he wanted to teach her how to perform a sex act, adding that if she complied ‘she could meet David Bowie’. She refused.

Operation Globe: Woman charged with indecent images offences

Ian Watkins’ former girlfriend Joanne Mjadzelics

 

A 38-year-old woman has been charged with offences relating to the possession and distribution of indecent images.

Suzanne Thomas, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wales, said:

“As part of a wider police investigation, the CPS was asked by South Wales Police to review evidence files relating to alleged offences committed by Joanne Mjadzelics.

“I have reviewed this evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Joanne Mjadzelics with four counts of possession of an indecent image, two counts of distributing an indecent image and one count of encouraging another to distribute an indecent image.

“Accordingly, I have authorised South Wales Police to charge Ms Mjadzelics with these offences and she has been bailed to appear before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 21 March.

“May I remind all concerned that Joanne Mjadzelics has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”

Notes to Editors:

Joanne Mjadzelics has been charged with:

• Four counts of possession of an indecent image of a child (level 4), contrary to Section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (offences dated between 7 May 2011 and 16 May 2011)

• Two counts of distributing an indecent image of a child (level 1), contrary to Section 1 (1)(b) of the Protection of Children Act 1978 (offences dated 30 September 2011)

• One count of encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence of distributing and indecent image of a child, contrary to Section 45 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 (offence dated between 9 May 2011 and 17 May 2011)

The full charges are set out as follows:

1. On the 7th May 2011 you were in possession of an indecent image of a child (level 4) Contrary to S.160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988

2. On the 8th May 2011 you were in possession of an indecent image of a child (level 4) Contrary to S.160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988

3. On the 8th May 2011 you were in possession of an indecent image of a child (level 4) Contrary to S.160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988

4. On the 16th May 2011 you were in possession of an indecent image of a child (level 4) Contrary to S.160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988

5. Between the 9th May 2011 and the 17th May 2011 you did an act, namely asked Ian Watkins to send you an indecent image of a child, which was capable of encouraging or assisting the commission of an either way offence, namely distributing an indecent image of a child, believing that the offence would be committed and that your act would encourage or assist in its commission. Contrary to S.45 of the Serious Crime Act 2007

6. On the 30th September 2011 you distributed an indecent image of a child (level 1) Contrary to S.1 (1)(b) Protection of Children Act 1978

7. On the 30th September 2011 you distributed an indecent image of a child (level 1) Contrary to S.1 (1)(b) Protection of Children Act 1978

CPS Blog

Max Clifford Trial Starts Today

Daily Mail: Between A Rock And A Hard Place.

Then and Now

A very good source contacted me earlier to let me know that he’d heard that the Daily Mail were aware of the arrest of Patrick Rock, the Downing Street aide, in mid-February. That is before The Mail embarked on its vitriolic two week campaign against Harriet Harman, Jack Dromey, and Patricia Hewitt over their link over 30 years ago, through the NCCL, to the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE). The political editor of the Daily Mail, James Chapman, denies this and insists they only found out yesterday.

The Mail coverage over the last few weeks has concerned me for a couple of reasons. The first is that it was, for the most part, very old rehashed news. Very little new information has been put in the public domain and, as a consequence, it was only right to ask questions about the timing of the campaign.

The second reason was that these were extremely personal attacks.

Highlighting any issue concerning historic paedophilia in the mainstream media which raises awareness must be welcome, as must the expressed ‘regrets’ of Harriet Harman and the apology of Patricia Hewitt, but this blanket coverage failed to address genuine concerns.  Not once did I see any attempt to analyse the long term consequences of allowing a paedophile network to operate legally for 10 years in the UK. Where was the victims’ perspective and the effects on them ? Where was the very serious debate that  still needs to be had about the responsibility the state has to the victims who continue to suffer as a consequence of government policy which not only allowed PIE to exist legally but even funded it ?

Instead, the coverage had all the hallmarks of a politically motivated attack and anyone who heard soon after this attack began that Downing Street had explicitly advised Tory MPs not to comment on The Daily Mail stories would have become even more suspicious.

Now we know that a few days before this attack began, Patrick Rock, a senior and close aide to the Prime Minister, had been arrested over a potential offence regarding child abuse imagery.

I doubt we’ll ever find out exactly when and how the Daily Mail were made aware of this arrest.

But let’s face it, it stinks.

Downing Street Aide Arrested For Possession Of Child Abuse Images

Patrick Rock was arrested on February 13th. Downing Street computers were seized.

So there you go. That is why the Daily Mail have been hammering on about Labour politicians for the last two weeks.

Just a reminder of what I said when The Mail first started their campaign against Harman et al Daily Mail: Why Now?

One of David Cameron’s closest aides has resigned after being arrested on child pornography allegations.

Patrick Rock has been closely involved in drawing up Government policy on internet porn filters.

He quit after the Prime Minister learned he was at the centre of a police probe over images of child abuse.

Detectives from the National Crime Agency searched No 10 and examined IT systems and offices used by Mr Rock, deputy director of the Downing Street policy unit.

Mr Rock was a protege of Margaret Thatcher and has held a series of senior posts in the Conservative Party. He has been close to Mr Cameron for many years.

Daily Mail

Report on Malcolm Thompsons Child Sexual Abuse Sheffield Childrens Homes

cathy fox blog on child abuse

In response to a FOI Request [1] Sheffield City Council have released the “Review of Malcolm Thompson’s Employment by Sheffield City Council 1977 -1990” Part 1 Download [2] and Part 2 Download [3] carried out for Sheffield Area Child Protection Committee by Sheila Poupard and Malcolm Jordan.

Malcolm Thompson was convicted on 29th June 1992 and the Director of Social Services commissioned the Review in July 1992 with the purpose of establishing what lessons could be learned on Social Work and Management Practice and advise on necessary action.

The Childrens Homes covered were Todwick Grange, Lane End and later Ringinglow.

In the Appendix is a very interesting collection of allegations of abuse, the years, the charges, and the convictions. He was convicted on 29th June 1992 at Sheffield Crown Court to 6 years imprisonment for 4 indecent assaults on children, although there were many more allegations.

The Report has only…

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