The sexual abuse legal team at Hugh James have been asked by former pupils of Badgeworth Court School, Clouds House School and Dowdeswell School to help them investigate claims of historical sexual and physical abuse. The allegations are said to have taken place during the 1970s and 80s.
Boys were sent from all over the UK to the residential boarding schools; Badgeworth Court School, Clouds House School and Dowdeswell School, by local authorities because it was thought that they had behavioural problems and learning difficulties only to be subjected to what is alleged to have been a “physically brutal” regime.
Police investigations in the past into allegations of abuse at the schools resulted in prosecutions. One alleged abuser was acquitted, whilst another, Keith Figes, received an 18-month suspended jail sentence.
Former pupils at the schools, complain that the investigations were not thorough enough and that many potential witnesses were not interviewed. Consequently many feel that they have been cheated of justice. They also want to know why they were sent to these schools when it was possibly known that there were allegations of abuse.
The former pupils want the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire police forces to re-investigate past cases and investigate the new allegations of sexual and physical abuse.
Hugh James would like to hear from any former pupils and members of staff from the now closed schools.
