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Shirley Oaks abuse victim: 'He took me back to the children's home and asked why I hadn't taken my clothes off'

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LEIGH Gocan described how he was taken away from Shirley Oaks by a strange man who wanted him to take off his clothes. "You always saw well-to-do people around Shirley Oaks," he told the Advertiser. "One time I was introduced to a man, who staff said I should think of as my uncle. They said I would spend the weekend with him, that he would take us out to the park and for lunch. He drove me to his house. It was in Tooting. He took me into his room. I didn't go to bed. I sat on a chair all night with all my clothes on. "When he took me back to the home and he told the staff I wouldn't take my clothes off. That should have rung alarm bells, but they knew what was going on." The experience would go on to have a lasting effect on the young boy's life. "That's when I started fighting," he said. "I was wild. I used to smash up the cottage. When I think about it now as an adult, I realised I've hurt a lot of people along the way. It's only now that I realised I was lashing out because of what happened to me." Leigh, 53, was in foster care before moving to Shirley Oaks and describes being subject to "beatings every single day" from the "most evil people you could imagine". His experiences left him deeply scarred. He started drinking at seven and would go on to be a drug addict. "I became an alcoholic, a junkie. Crack, heroin, everything you can think of, just to get away from the memories." The foster family he lived with neglected him to the point that he was so thirsty he would drink food colouring. He also stole, leading him to a life of crime and two convictions for armed robbery, the last of which was in 1982.

Shirley Oaks abuse victim: 'He took me back to the children's home and asked why I hadn't taken my clothes off'


Shirley Oaks victim: 'I am proof the care system does not work'

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OF THE six members of the Gocan family placed at Shirley Oaks, Yvonne has found it the most difficult to lead a normal life. As the youngest girl, she was separated from her sisters and housed in a separate cottage. Just a toddler, she had no one to look out for her. "From an early age they would bring men into the cottage and they would sexually abuse me," she explained. "My sister couldn't understand why I was always dressed in the best underwear and the best night clothing. They didn't have those clothes but, looking back, it's understandable why I did. As brothers and sisters we've never really gone into detail about what happened. We were taught not to talk. They left as time went by and I was the one left behind." Left in Shirley Oaks on her own, Yvonne tried to commit suicide at 16. When she did leave she was barely able to read or write. She fell into a succession of abusive relationships, became an alcoholic and a drug addict. She has never been able to hold down a job. Yvonne, 49, has three children, all of whom were taken away from her by the local authority. The oldest, 27, is in prison. The youngest, 15, is still in the care system. Her third son, 21, is now back at home, but has no qualifications and a long list of convictions. Yvonne sees no way out of the cycle. "The system doesn't work," she said. "I'm proof and history is repeating itself. It sets you up to fail. You are spat out of the other end, completely unprepared for life. "They took my childhood and left me ruined. All of the things a young person is supposed to have – friendship, love, prospects – I've had taken from me. "Most of my abusers are dead, but the people who put them there should be the ones who should be held responsible, because they didn't come to check to see if we were OK. "I don't think any amount of money could ever make things right."

Shirley Oaks victim: 'I am proof the care system does not work'

Filmmaker Bill Maloney: 'Hundreds of people have yet to come forward about abuse at Shirley Oaks'

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A FILMMAKER who went to Shirley Oaks believes hundreds of people have yet to speak out about the abuse they suffered there. Bill Maloney, a child abuse campaigner, is known for confronting public figures, including Nick Clegg, Ken Livingstone and disgraced publicist Max Clifford, about allegations of institutional paedophilia. He has even called for the Shirley Oaks site, demolished to make way for housing, to be excavated because he claims there may be bodies buried there. "There are so many stories about that place," he told the Advertiser. "Most of [the abuse] occurred in two cottages, one of which my sister was in. "An adult from the college next door would come into the bedroom and abuse my sister's friend. One day the woman in charge of the cottage opened the door and looked in, then closed the door and left. There was a hell of a lot going on there. I know that three of my siblings were abused at Shirley Oaks. "I believe there may be hundreds of people who have not yet come forward to speak about what happened." Mr Maloney, 59, started investigating Shirley Oaks and other children's homes through his work with Pie & Mash Films, his production company, having been a damaged man when he first came out of the care system. He explained: "I met my wife 38 years ago and she taught me how to love again. We got married, had a daughter and I led a very normal life. I didn't want to look back and I didn't need to. "But when I became a filmmaker, a bit like when you become a journalist, you start looking into things and uncovering the truth." He added: "I think abuse was rife in children's homes like Shirley Oaks because there was no way of informing the authorities. There was no chance of speaking out and, if you pushed beyond what they thought was the limit, you would disappear. "Now the internet is opening it all up because it gives victims a platform which can't be taken away from them."

Filmmaker Bill Maloney: 'Hundreds of people have yet to come forward about abuse at Shirley Oaks'

Abuse at Shirley Oaks Children's Home took many forms

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THE abuse experienced by some of children placed in Shirley Oaks took many forms. While those who were convicted of wrong-doing were predominantly sex offenders, former residents who spoke to the Advertiser this week described being the victims of physical and emotional cruelty on a day-to-day basis. David Annon, 47, who was sent to Shirley Oaks in 1969, was regularly subjected to punishments he says were designed to crush his spirit. "If we spoke at night time a guy would come in, get us out of bed, march us down to the kitchen and make us stand and face the wall with bare feet for two hours," he explained. "After a while they would come back down and make us take all of the pots and pans out of the cupboards and put them back again. This went on every other day. Imagine how that must have felt as a young child. We hadn't done anything more than giggle." Mr Annon, who now lives in Peckham, was regularly "slapped" but he also saw staff punch children, sometimes in the face. On one occasion a care worker pinned him to a wall by his neck. "They also used to force me down to the ground to comb my hair," he said. "They used to rake it out. Even now I flinch when someone touches my hair. "To me the abuse was constant and they got away with it. As a child you are frightened to talk. Kids used to be seen but not heard. We were so frightened that even when the punching was going on, we didn't say anything, even to each other." Last year Mr Annon tried to pursue legal action against Lambeth Council, but was told he was unlikely to be successful. "I was told I couldn't go to court because it would just be my word to go on," he said. "They said if more people came forward than they would have a case. Now it's starting to come out, my solicitor believes I should try again."

Abuse at Shirley Oaks Children's Home took many forms

'They did things to me when they turned off the lights. Now I am petrified of the dark' - victims of abuse at Shirley Oaks Children's Home speak out

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AFTER our report on author Alex Wheatle's allegations about Shirley Oaks Children's Home last week, three members of the same family today waive their legal right to anonymity to talk, for the first time, about the physical, emotional and sexual abuse they suffered at the Croydon home. They tell chief reporter Gareth Davies their stories...

"MY son once asked me why I leave the light on at night and I told him I do it because of my childhood," said 50-year-old Pauline Gocan.

"I didn't tell him it was because of Shirley Oaks. They did things to me when they turned the light off. Now I am petrified of the dark."

Pauline and her five brothers and sisters were placed at Shirley Oaks Children's Home in Wickham Road, Croydon, when their mother was diagnosed as schizophrenic in 1967.

She suffered physical, emotional or sexual abuse at the hands of staff and visitors to the home, which rarely fell below 400 children on roll before it was closed in 1983.

This week Pauline, her brother Leigh, 53, and sister Yvonne, 48, have waived their legal right to anonymity to talk, for the first time, about their experiences. They are among half a dozen victims who agreed to speak to the Advertiser this week after reading author Alex Wheatle's account of being sexually assaulted by a doctor at the home run by Lambeth Council.

Their stories provide compelling evidence to support his claim, made in a national newspaper, of systemic abuse at Shirley Oaks, and their call for a new investigation.

Pauline met our reporter at her home in Brixton. Before describing her experiences at Shirley Oaks she asked Leigh to leave the room, as there are details she still feels unable to share with him. "I don't know where to start," she said. "I don't know how to put it into words. I don't have memories, I have nightmares."

When Pauline and her siblings first arrived at Shirley Oaks they were separated and placed among the 38 cottages where the children lived.

Only six years old at the time, she recalls being sexually abused by "big people" who would regularly visit the dormitory at night.

"They would come and do things," she said. "They would make us do things. They were sexually abusing me. When we were allowed out into the gardens, I would refuse to go back inside. Their response was to drag me back into the house and beat me. They used to hit me all the time. Sometimes it was the back of the hand, others a slipper. Beatings were all I knew. The house mother was a wicked woman."

Like other victims who have chosen to speak out, Pauline felt unable to tell anyone about what was happening – even the other children.

"I don't know why I didn't talk about it. Maybe it's because they were always threatening to lock me up. So I stayed silent and carried the shame with me until 2011."

It was only then, 35 years later, that her doctor advised her to seek counselling. The therapist was the first person she told about being sexually assaulted. "It helped me to say what I wanted to say without fear of being locked up," she explained.

A decade earlier, Pauline and several of her brothers and sisters spoke about some of their experiences to police officers assigned to Operation Middleton, an investigation into child abuse at several south London children's homes, including Shirley Oaks. "The police listened to me but I didn't get justice. Some did, but not me."

Pauline has since pursued every conceivable avenue to find answers and closure, including small claims court action against Lambeth Council and an appeal to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. She was offered £3,600. "I didn't take it, I thought it was an insult," she said.

She wrote to David Cameron, with no success, before a solicitor agreed to review her case, only to tell her she had exhausted all her options. A few months later, in a moment of despair, she shredded the paperwork she had collected over a 22-year period.

"I had done all that work but nothing had come of it," she said. "I saw the system as what it is. It's fraudulent and fake. I wanted to get rid of every piece of evidence that I had been a part of it. I destroyed it and tried to get on with my life."

Then, last week, she received a message from another victim. "Shirley Oaks is on the front page of the Mirror," it read. "Spread the word."

The spotlight was back on the children's home thanks to writer Alex Wheatle. The father of three said he was "convinced" a network of paedophiles were operating in the home and that "the authorities knew about it at the time but did nothing".

He described how "strange, nameless men" would visit the cottages, including a swimming instructor later convicted of abusing children at Shirley Oaks, including Pauline's sister.

"When I read the story I knew it was my opportunity to come forward," said Pauline, who rang the number at the end of the article and was advised by a reporter to contact the police.

Last Saturday, an officer visited her home to speak about her allegations. "It went very well. He said he couldn't promise anything, but that's the story of my life – there have never been any promises. I thought I had gone down all the legal avenues but the article has opened the way for me to come forward and say: 'I want justice'."

Whether or not Pauline and other victims will get the answers they are looking for is unclear. The recent public inquiry, set up to examine how public bodies dealt with sex abuse claims, has provided another glimmer of hope. For now they live with the long-term effects, not just of deliberate cruelty, but of a childhood in care.

"I was groomed to be a nasty person and my fight is not to be that way," said Pauline. "All the things that happened to me when they came into my bed during the night, and all the beatings I took, groomed me to be bad.

"I was a child brought up in the system and then left to fend for myself. I've made a lot of errors but I can admit my mistakes.

"Now it's time for those involved to do the same. It will only take one person to do what is right and maybe things can start to change."

Anyone who wishes to report an allegation of historic sexual abuse is urged to contact the police on 020 7161 0500. If you can help with the Advertiser's investigation email gareth.davies@croydonadvertiser.co.uk

'They did things to me when they turned off the lights. Now I am petrified of the dark' - victims of abuse at Shirley Oaks Children's Home speak out

Transfer talk: Crystal Palace in battle with promoted duo for Tottenham star

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CRYSTAL Palace face competition from both Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers in the chase for Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby. The German international, who spent last season on loan at Fulham, is reportedly wanted by the Premier League trio as he awaits clarification over his future at White Hart Lane. A report by the Daily Star suggests that Holtby could go out on loan again this season, and it is understood that Palace are towards the front of the queue for the 23-year-old.

Transfer talk: Crystal Palace in battle with promoted duo for Tottenham star

Boost for Crystal Palace as Arsenal's German trio look set to miss season opener

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CRYSTAL Palace could be facing an Arsenal side without World Cup winners Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski on the opening day of the new Premier League season. The German trio have reportedly been given an extended break following their exploits at the World Cup in Brazil, with all three not expected back to pre-season training until four days before the Palace game on August 16. As a result, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said it is unlikely the trio will feature against Tony Pulis' Eagles side at the Emirates Stadium.

Boost for Crystal Palace as Arsenal's German trio look set to miss season opener

Two arrested and drugs and cash seized in Croydon cannabis factory raid

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TWO men were arrested and cannabis and cash were seized after police raided a drugs den in Waddon yesterday (Thursday).

Officers from Croydon's Crime Squad carried out a search warrant at a premises in Claydon Drive early yesterday morning, after intelligence suggested it was being used as a cannabis factory.

During the search, police found more than 50 cannabis plants growing inside, along with items including fans and heaters used in the production of cannabis. Around £3,000 in cash was also found by officers.

Two men, aged 23 and 61, were arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis. They have since been bailed to return to a south London police station in late September, pending further enquiries.

PC Garret Sheridan, from Croydon's Crime Squad, who led the operation said: "The presence of any kind of drugs in a neighbourhood will have a negative impact on that area. There are the direct effect of associated crime or antisocial behaviour, but in the case of cannabis factories in particular, there are also the very real danger of fire, as cannabis factories are usually set up with lots of fans, heaters and electrics, that can then go on to cause serious fires.

"We would urge local residents and communities to get in touch with us if they suspect the presence of drugs in their neighbourhoods, whether drugs are simply being used, or if they're being supplied or produced. We'll look into any information we receive and will take positive action like we have in this case, where appropriate."

Anyone with information about drugs can contact their local police team by calling 101 or by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. 

Two arrested and drugs and cash seized in Croydon cannabis factory raid


Croydon fraudster Neelam Desai's confiscation hearing delayed

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VICTIMS of a fraudster's holiday scams will have to wait longer to learn whether they will get any of their money back.

Neelam Desai, 34, was jailed for 30 months in May for ripping off customers of her discount travel business.

They were offered cheap flights and trips but, when the deals fell through, Desai tried to pay them back by borrowing huge sums of cash and writing fraudulent cheques from her mother's account. 

After she was jailed, the Crown Prosecution Services started confiscation proceedings against her to determine whether she has assets that could be used to repay her victims. 

A date for the confiscation hearing was due to be set today (Friday) but a judge at Croydon Crown Court heard the police had yet to start the process because the officer in charge of the case had been "particularly busy". 

Judge Stephen Waller excused the delay as "slippages" in confiscation hearings are common because the matters are usually "very complicated". 

He added: "I can hardly think of any confiscation hearing I've been involved in where there has not been a slippage on one side or the other."

Desai, of Beulah Grove, Selhurst, was present in court for the hearing, which lasted just a few minutes.

Abigail Penny, her barrister, said Desai had been "progressing well" in prison. 

The confiscation proceedings will next come before the court on October 10.

Desai was sentenced to 27 months after pleading guilty to four counts of fraud, three of handling stolen goods and one of doing business while bankrupt. She was handed a further three months for breaching a suspended sentence. 

The former travel agent and classroom assistant is currently on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of ten counts of fraud by false representation following an investigation by the Advertiser into a series of dating website scams. 

Croydon fraudster Neelam Desai's confiscation hearing delayed

Court date set for Thornton Heath kidnapping case

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THE case of a man charged with kidnap, assault and GBH following an incident in Thornton Heath was heard at court today. 

Police were called to reports that a woman has been assaulted in Brigstock Road, at 11.10pm on July 10. 

When they went to a house in nearby Seneca Road to arrest the suspect, officers were confronted by a pit bull-type dog, which armed police shot and killed. 

Steven Bennett, 40, of Seneca Road, Thornton Heath, was charged on July 11 with assault by penetration, kidnap and GBH with intent. 

He was due to appear via video link at Croydon Crown Court (today) but, due to technical difficulties, the hearing went ahead in his absence. 

There was no indication of plea or application for bail. 

Bennett will remain in custody ahead of a plea and case management hearing on October 9.

Court date set for Thornton Heath kidnapping case

Killer who missed sentencing captured but brother still on the run

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A KILLER who failed to show at his sentencing has been captured by police but his brother also convicted of the same offence is still on the run.
Valodia Tarasov, 35, of Abingdon Road, Norbury, and Jurius Tarasov, 33, of Brixton, were convicted yesterday along with their other brother, Viktoras Tarasov, 39, of Aurelia Road, Croydon of the manslaughter of Pawel Pacholak, 37.
The brothers were all due at the Old Bailey today to hear their punishments but only Viktoras appeared. Valodia was found and arrested by police this afternoon but Jurius remains at large.
A warrant remains out for Jurius and police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Viktoras and Valodia have been remanded pending sentencing at an unknown date.
Mr Pacholak died after falling out of a window on January 13 last year in Streatham High Street trying to flee the brothers.
The Tarasovs were beating the victim up after they wrongly accused him of stealing a mobile phone.
Mr Pacholak had landed face-down after jumping from the window and broken his neck.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 999.

Killer who missed sentencing captured but brother still on the run

South Norwood man loses appeal against sentence for killing police officer

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A SOUTH Norwood man who bragged he'd be "on telly all over the world" after killing a police officer has lost an appeal against his jail term.

Gary Cody, 26, was jailed for eight and a half years in February, after he mowed down PC Andrew Duncan in Reigate Avenue, Sutton, on September 20 last year.

Lawyers argued at the Court of Appeal last Friday (July 25) that his sentence should be reduced, because he hadn't been given enough credit for pleading guilty.

But appeal judges dismissed this and agreed with the original sentence imposed on Cody, who was travelling at 88mph in a 40mph when he ran down PC Duncan, who was on traffic duty at the time.

At his original court hearing, it was revealed Cody, of Holland Road, South Norwood, drove off after hitting the police officer.

He then phoned his father and said: "I've done it this time, I've hit a copper."

His father told Cody to hand himself in, which he did that afternoon.

Kingston Crown Court also heard how Cody's prison warden had reported a "degree of satisfaction at his notoriety" in jail.

Cody was said to have boasted to his warden: "Do you know who I am? I am the one on the news who ran over the police officer. I am probably on telly all over the world."

PC Duncan, 47, a married father of two, died of chronic brain, neck, chest and pelvic injuries.

South Norwood man loses appeal against sentence for killing police officer

Crystal Palace fans on tenterhooks as Steve Parish promises 'announcement'

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OOOH Steve Parish - you big tease.

At around 2.30pm on Friday afternoon, the Crystal Palace co-chairman tweeted: "Stand by for an announcement."

But two and a half hours later at 5pm, no such announcement has been forthcoming, leading to some amusing suggestions and conversations between Eagles fans on Twitter - speculating seriously and not so seriously about what the news might be.

@MPE14 wrote: "Rochdale have signed Calvin Andrew.. is this the big announcement we are waiting for? #cpfc"

@ohsouthlondon Tweeted: "Marco Gabbiadini was actually Marcia Gabbiadini and was the inspiration for hollywood blockbuster 'She's the Man' #cpfcannouncement #cpfc"

The only news from the Palace official Twitter feed since Parish's teaser has been the relase of a YouTube video about the Eagles squad visiting the steps in Philadelphia made famous by the Rocky films.

The most likely content of the announcement is that Palace have completed the signing of Cardiff striker Frazier Campbell, heavily linked with a move to Selhurst Park in recent days.

But some are hoping for more dramatic transfer news, with @samjordan Tweeting: "Ronaldinho isn't playing in Deco's testimonial match tonight. Read into that what you will."

Crystal Palace fans on tenterhooks as Steve Parish promises 'announcement'

Crystal Palace confirm signing of former Man Utd and Tottenham striker Fraizer Campbell

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CRYSTAL Palace have completed the signing of striker Fraizer Campbell. The 26-year-old joins on a three-year deal from relegated Cardiff City, it has been confirmed. Campbell has previously played for the likes of Man Utd, Tottenham, Hull City, and Sunderland. He'll be vying with Dwight Gayle, Marouane Chamakh, and Glenn Murray for a starting berth in Tony Pulis' Palace XI.

Crystal Palace confirm signing of former Man Utd and Tottenham striker Fraizer Campbell

Havant and Waterlooville 0–0 Crystal Palace U21s: Young Eagles given good workout

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CRYSTAL Palace's Development Squad played out a goalless draw against Conference South outfit Havant and Waterlooville this evening. It was a good test and step up for the young Eagles following their 4-1 win at Beckenham Town last Friday. A number of players were given a run-out, which is what it's all about in pre-season, while powerful defender Ryan Inniss came on for the final few minutes after five months out with injury. Palace nearly took the lead after just 22 seconds when Sullay KaiKai controlled the ball inside the box and smacked the crossbar with a ferocious shot. KaiKai had a half chance soon after when he found space 12 yards out and swivelled to shoot but was crowded out by three home defenders Jacob Berkeley should have given the young Eagles the lead when KaiKai played a superb ball into his path, and in a one-on-one situation he decided to square to trialist Fizz but the ball was poor. Havant conjured up their first chance of the evening when Ben Swallow cut in from the right and sent a shot over the crossbar. A mistake from the home defence from a free-kick allowed Reise Allassani a chance to run at goal but his effort was well blocked, before the ball was sent up the field and Shamir Mullings shot narrowly wide. Palace had skipper Connor Dymond to thank to keep them in the game on the half-hour mark when he headed off the line following a corner. Allassani fired a dangerous cross into the box after taking on the Havant left-back but none of his team-mates could control the ball. KaiKai sent a low shot from outside the box which Havant goalkeeper Ryan Young did well to smother, while Mullings blazed a shot well wide at the other end before the break. Allassani continued to pose problems down the right and got the better of his marker to win a free-kick on the stroke of half-time. And KaiKai was close to finding the back of the net from the resulting dead ball but it went narrowly over. Academy boss Gary Issott decided against making any changes at the break, while the hosts should have opened the scoring when Scott Donnelly placed a shot just wide after a clever backheel from Bradley Bubb. Young had to be alert in the Havant goal when he denied Allassani from latching onto a threaded pass from Berkeley, and then Allassani was involved again, this time getting to the byline and saw a low cross cut out. The home defence was alert to cut out another Allassani cross following good hold-up play from KaiKai, while Mandela Egbo came on for trialist Henry at right-back. KaiKai was a whisker away from breaking the deadlock when he found space 25 yards out and sent a rasping shot just past the post via a deflection. And from the corner, Dymond rose to head towards goal by Young held on. A number of changes were made by Issott midway through the half, with the likes of Gus Sow, Morgan Ferrier and Luke Croll all coming on. Allassani thought he should have had a penalty soon after when he appeared to be brought down but the referee waved away his protests. And Palace cranked up the pressure when Ferrier shot across goal, the ball deflected off a Havant defender into Fizz's feet and the ball somehow went the wrong side of the post. To be fair to the trialist, the ball came to him at pace and he probably didn't know much about it. Issott gave three Palace's U18 players some game time with 12 minutes remaining, while Ryan Inniss came on for Allassani in the final few moments after five months injured since his loan debut for Gillingham in February. Pakace looked for winner late on and they should have come away with victory with the final chance of the game when Ferrier did brilliantly to beat a defender but the big striker blasted wide. A good workout for both sides but a little disappointing not to see a goal on the south coast. Palace U21s: Gregory, Henry (Trialist) (Egbo 60), George, Magri (Trialist), Chambers, Dymond ©, Black (Sow 70), Allassani (Inniss 85) Berkeley, KaiKai (Ferrier 70), Fizz (Trialist).

Havant and Waterlooville 0–0 Crystal Palace U21s: Young Eagles given good workout


Crystal Palace new boy Fraizer Campbell happy 'frustrating' period is over

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CRYSTAL Palace's new signing Fraizer Campbell admits he was 'frustrated' at the time it took for his move to be confirmed. The 26-year-old has joined Palace on a three-year deal from Cardiff City, with the deal finally rubber-stamped on Friday after days of intense speculation. Sunderland, one of Campbell's former clubs, tried to hijack the deal at the 11th hour, but Tony Pulis won the race for the former Man Utd and Spurs hitman, who says he's delighted to be in SE25. Campbell told the Palace official website: "This is a great opportunity for myself to, firstly, get back in the Premier League and also have the chance to be around a great manager and some fantastic players. "The last couple of weeks have been frustrating for me but I can't wait to get started now in the red and blue of Crystal Palace." Campbell impressed for Cardiff last season, including netting a brace in their victory over eventual champions Man City, but he couldn't prevent the Welsh club from being relegated from the top flight at the first time of asking.

Crystal Palace new boy Fraizer Campbell happy 'frustrating' period is over

Croydon school employed teacher - even though they knew he'd been sacked for a YEAR-long text relationship with pupil, 13

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TRINITY School appointed a teacher who was dismissed from his previous job for texting a 13-year-old girl for more than a year – despite repeatedly being informed of his misconduct.

Ben Laundon, 41, was appointed to take the Combined Cadet Forces and Duke of Edinburgh Scheme at the £13,000-a-year Trinity School in Shirley in 2008 after he was dismissed from Caterham School for "gross misconduct".

Last year it emerged Mr Laundon had been accused of forcing himself on a schoolgirl in 2006 – something for which he was later acquitted.

But in a written reference from Caterham School, seen by the Advertiser, from 2008, Trinity were told Mr Laundon had been dismissed on May 18, 2007, for "conducting himself inappropriately and unprofessionally with a thirteen-year-old girl in his tutor group over a 15-month period".

In a statement released at the time defending his appointment, Trinity head teacher Mark Bishop referred to Mr Laundon as only having sent a singular 'message' to a girl last year.

Mr Bishop told the Advertiser this week he accepted he should have said 'communication' rather than 'message'.

But he maintained his stance from last year that the key issue for him when he appointed Mr Laundon was this communication was not of a sexual nature and he would not have been appointed to Trinity otherwise.

Mr Bishop added: "There is no question that Mr Laundon made a very serious error of judgement while at Caterham but, in my view, he had learnt from it and indeed throughout his employment at Trinity his conduct was impeccable."

Mr Laundon, who now runs personal training company Corpus Fitness from his home in South Croydon, left Trinity in the wake of the allegations for which he was acquitted in 2011.

Mr Bishop knew Mr Laundon from his own time at Caterham School but, according to another letter seen by the Advertiser, Trinity had not initially requested a written reference from his previous employer.

Sue Herbert, from Surrey County Council Safeguarding Service, wrote to Mr Bishop on January 29, 2008, and said this was in breach of the guidance under the Education Act 2002 in respect of safe recruitment.

Mr Bishop said: "In response to the letter from Surrey Safeguarding, as I immediately explained to the head of safeguarding, I had, in fact, taken a verbal reference from Caterham.

"She was then completely satisfied that it was appropriate for me to appoint Mr Laundon given the full risk assessment that had been carried out."

Mr Bishop also said the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Education and Surrey Safeguarding all had a "clear and consistent view" after examining the reasons for Mr Laundon's departure that he "was suitable to work with children".

Gavin Barwell, Croydon Central MP and Trinity chair of governors at the time of the appointment, said he had "nothing to add" to Mr Bishop's comments.

Mr Laundon did not respond to a request for comment.

Croydon school employed teacher - even though they knew he'd been sacked for a YEAR-long text relationship with pupil, 13

Croydon rapper mourns loss of 'inspirational' grandad

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A HIP-HOP artist from South Croydon who sampled his grandad's music has paid tribute to his "inspiration" after he passed away.

Ryan Junior Matthews-Robinson produced a charity single two years ago using the music of his grandad Robbie "King" Robinson.

Robbie, 74, died suddenly of a heart attack earlier this month but Ryan has plans to ensure his legacy remains through music.

"The power of music is that you can live forever through it," said Ryan.

"I originally sampled his music because I thought more people should hear it and I want to keep his legacy alive."

"He wasn't just a grandad, he was a best friend too. He couldn't have been more of an inspiration to me."

Ryan, who raps under the name Ragz-CV, is putting together a special video tribute to Robbie after students from University of the Arts London came to document their collaboration.

Robbie moved to the UK from Jamaica in 1962 and recorded six albums, spanning the reggae, jazz and soul genres, eventually settling in South Norwood.

He befriended American jazz musician Jimmy Smith and the two toured together.

When not creating music he worked as a London cab driver, retiring in the 2000s.

But Ryan's own musical career spurred him out of retirement for their collaboration in 2011 entitled Paying Homage to the King, which helped to raise thousands of pounds for the Alzheimer's Society.

Before Robbie passed away, Ryan visited to play him his latest single Summer Days, Summer Nights, which also used one of Robbie's originals.

"He was saying how proud he was, and I made the original better," he added.

"He still had that ear to what was good."

Despite suffering from diabetes and having to look after his wife Mary, who suffers from dementia, Ryan said Robbie always kept in high spirits, adding: "He never felt hard done by.

"He was always a positive person."

Croydon rapper mourns loss of 'inspirational' grandad

Coulsdon school gets £1.6m cash boost for new science labs

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WORK to completely transform Woodcote High School's science department will start this summer after it won a £1.6 million grant.

The Coulsdon school's 11 science laboratories were originally built in the 1950s and are in "dire" need of refurbishment, according to head Mark Southworth.

They will be replaced by "state-of-the-art" facilities built using funds secured through the Education Funding Agency (EFA), part of the Department for Education.

Work on the new classrooms will get under way this summer.

Mr Southworth hailed the success of the bid, led by the school's site manager Steve Callan, as a "phenomenal achievement".

"The quality of the bid has resulted in this huge injection of funding for Woodcote," he said.

"Students can look forward to carrying out their science experiments in laboratories that will be the envy of other institutions."

As part of the work, three new laboratories will be built alongside a sports science room. The other nine labs will be refurbished in stages to avoid disrupting lessons.

The new labs will replace temporary ones built as the school expanded, and work is expected to be completed by June 2015.

Mr Southworth said the facilities would hugely benefit pupils at the school.

"They are really motivated by the practical aspects of science and carrying out their own experiments really helps them to learn and retain scientific concepts," he added. "We are sure that these labs will help us go from strength to strength academically."

The grant was one of the largest awarded from the EFA fund of £394 million, which was four times oversubscribed.

The fund is designed to provide capital finance for academies since they are no longer under the control of the Local Education Authority.

Woodcote High became an academy in June 2012.

Coulsdon school gets £1.6m cash boost for new science labs

Queuing traffic on A23 after accident

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THE southbound carriageway of the A23 Purley Way near its junction with Waddon Way, Waddon was partially blocked for more than an hour this morning (Saturday)following a vehicle collision. The accident occurred mid-morning. The road was cleared at around 12.15pm and traffic which had been queuing back to the junction of the Purley Way and the A232 was easing. A police spokesman said at midday they had no further details of the accident.
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