Shefford Boys" Home Abusers Guilty Verdicts Show Complaints Will Be "Taken Seriously" Says Nspcc
Bedfordshire on Sunday
A CHILDREN'S charity has described two men found guilty of physical and sexual abuse at a Catholic children's home in Shefford as 'monsters'. James McCann, 80, of Suffield Court, Swaffham, Norfolk, a former housemaster at the home, was found by a jury today to have been responsible for 42 charges of physical and sexual assaults against residents. He was given an absolute discharge at The Old Bailey on medical grounds, having suffered a stroke.
But a trial of the facts found he had committed 30 counts of ABH, nine indecent assaults on a male person, and three of indecency with a child. It heard McCann's favoured form of punishment was 'the clappers', when he would bring both of his open hands forcefully down on a boy's ears. The punishment caused severe pain and dizziness and ringing in their ears for hours afterwards - even leading some to claim they have been left permanently deaf as a result. After the trial of facts ended, it was also revealed that former scout master and part time helper at the home, John Cahill, of Chandos Court, Bedford, is currently in prison for indecent assaults committed on four former residents. He pleaded guilty to six counts against four boys in March this year and was jailed for three-and-a-half-years.
"But the veneer of respect glossed over a torrid secret - these men were monsters who subjected children to horrific sexual abuse. "Both targeted children who were too fearful to speak out, but their past caught up with them. "This shows complaints will be taken seriously and criminals, like McCann and Cahill, will be held to account no matter how long ago the abuse happened." For help and support children can contact ChildLine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or by visiting www.childline.org.uk
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