Arrests made in connection with alleged sexual abuse at Shefford boys’ home

By James Scott
Comet
February 24, 2015

http://www.thecomet.net/news/arrests_made_in_connection_with_alleged_sexual_abuse_at_shefford_boys_home_1_3968315

St Francis Boys Home in Shefford closed in 1974.

Two men have been arrested and a further two people interviewed in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged child abuse at St Francis Boys’ Home in Shefford during the 1960s and 1970s.

A 72-year-old man from Bedford was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting four children, while a 79-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of six sexual and 14 physical assaults on children at the home.

Both men have been bailed until April.

A 68-year-old man was voluntarily interviewed under caution for sexual assault – enquiries are ongoing.

And a 78-year-old woman from Shefford was interviewed under caution for sexual assault, but she has been released with no further action.

So far detectives have spoken to more than 80 alleged victims during the course of the investigation.

Further potential suspects have been identified and will be interviewed ‘in due course’.

At the conclusion of the interviews a report will be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The home – which was run by the Northampton diocese of the Catholic Church – was closed in 1974.