Scout Leader Who Abused Boys at "Orphanage from Hell" Jailed

ITV
October 10, 2016

http://www.itv.com/news/2016-10-10/former-scout-leader-at-orphanage-from-hell-jailed-after-historical-sex-abuse-of-young-boys/

St Francis children's home in Shefford, Bedfordshire. Credit: Bedfordshire Police/PA Wire

A scout leader at a Catholic children's home branded the "orphanage from hell" has been jailed for molesting young boys in the 1960s.

John Cahill pleaded guilty to six counts of indecent assault on four boys aged between 10 and 14 at St Francis Home for Boys in Shefford, Bedfordshire.

His victims, now in their 60s, wept in court as they told how their lives were devastated by the abuse.

Cahill was jailed for three and a half years at the Old Bailey in March but it can only be reported now.

It comes after the trial of carer at the home James McCann, 80, concluded.

St Francis children's home was the site of numerous instances of abuse in the 1960s and 1970s. Credit: Bedfordshire Police/PA Wire

McCann was accused of 50 charges of violent and sexual assault on 25 boys aged between eight and 12 in the 1960s and 1970s.

But he was deemed unfit to stand trial as he has dementia and has had several strokes.

However, jurors ultimately decided he was responsible for 30 physical attacks and 12 indecent acts on the boys, some as young as eight.

Handout photo of St Francis boys' home issued by Bedfordshire Police. Credit: Bedfordshire Police/PA Wire

The court heard McCann beat boys with a belt or stick and had punched one of them in the face with full force.

Both him and Cahill would groom the boys by being friendly towards them and take advantage when they were alone together.

One victim described his time at St Francis as "the scariest period of my life".

But Cahill was only part of the sadistic and vindictive regime run by nuns and priests at the boys' home in the 1960s.

A priest called Father John Ryan was described by one witness as "the most evil man I have ever met in my life".

Jurors also heard how "sadistic" Sister Xavier forced boys to put their hands in boiling water and would hit them with a steel ruler if they took their hands out.

Nuns and priests at the care home were found to have participated in the abuse of young boys. Credit: Bedfordshire Police/PA Wire

Prosecutor John Price QC said: "Theirs is a truly shocking story of a cruel and vindictive regime."

St Francis was regularly visited by Home Office officials in the 1960s.

Despite authorities noting the beatings and children running away, they still described the home as a "cheerful" place.

After St Francis was shut down, police launched three investigations into complaints in 1996, 1998 and 2003, but no charges were brought.

A total of 103 crime reports have now been finalised against deceased suspects, as part of the ongoing investigation.