The owner of a group of children’s homes has been jailed for 14-and-a-half years for sexually abusing boys in his care. John Allen, who was the owner and manager of the Bryn Alyn Community homes in north Wales, was sentenced for offences against five boys committed between 1976 and 1992. The judge said the care homes had seemed successful and local authorities paid large fees in the expectation that those placed would be looked after “in a safe and caring environment”. Some boys tried to disclose the abuse to authorities, including the police, at the time, but were often ignored or disbelieved. The NCA’s senior investigating officer, Philip Marshall, said: “Allen used his position of trust to abuse boys who were young, vulnerable and from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Source: The Guardian January 08, 2020 13:56 UTC