Former Children's Home Manager Avoids Prison as Assistant Sentenced
A former children's home manager, described as a "master manipulator," who abused children under his care, has been ordered not to serve prison time, while his female assistant received a 25-year jail sentence for aiding his assaults.
Malcolm Phillips, aged 93, was found to have "cultivated a culture of fear" at Skircoat Lodge in Halifax, where he committed sexual and physical offences against four girls and two boys between 1976 and 1994.
Phillips, deemed unfit to stand trial, was granted an absolute discharge by the judge at Bradford Crown Court, who stated she was "bound by the statutory framework."
Linda Brunning, 67, was convicted of indecently assaulting a boy and assisting Phillips in sexually abusing another boy during the 1980s and 1990s.
Phillips faced charges including rape, indecent assault, and indecency with a child but, due to his unfitness for trial, underwent a trial of facts. In such trials, a jury cannot convict but determines if the accused committed the alleged acts; they may acquit but not convict.
The trial, which concluded in January, resulted in the jury finding that Phillips, now residing in Birmingham, had committed the offences. He observed the proceedings via video link from his home. Alongside the absolute discharge, he was issued a sexual harm prevention order.
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Judge's Remarks and Trial Details
During sentencing, Judge Kirstie Watson stated that Phillips and Brunning committed "vile abuse" against children. She described Phillips as a "master manipulator" who "set the tone" at the home.
"You were the dominant force and cultivated a culture of fear among the young and extremely vulnerable children in your care,"
During the trial, the jury heard that Phillips, who managed Skircoat Lodge since its opening in 1976, "used his power over two decades to isolate children for his sexual gratification."
Brunning, from Sowerby Bridge, Calderdale, served as his assistant and was characterized as "a large, domineering woman who took pleasure in humiliating and hurting children."
She denied all charges but her defense counsel acknowledged that she now "respects those verdicts."
Kitty Colley, representing Brunning, described her client as a person of "good character." She informed the court that after being removed from Skircoat Lodge in 1994 during Phillips' investigation, Brunning worked with vulnerable adults without complaints regarding her conduct. Two thorough investigations following these events yielded no prosecutions.
Phillips had previously been convicted in 2001 for abusing eight girls at Skircoat Lodge during the 1970s and 1980s and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
About Skircoat Lodge and Victims' Experiences
Skircoat Lodge, which opened in 1976, was a residential facility for children aged four to 16 who were under care orders and placed there for their safety.
During the recent trial, the jury learned that children at the home were deprived of food and sleep, threatened with loss of family visits, and told that no one cared about them or would believe their complaints.
Victims recounted attempts to run away after abuse but were returned to the home by police and labeled as liars and troublemakers.
Three victims who waived their right to anonymity attended the sentencing: Kelly Lees, Karen Bentham, and Angela Radford.
Victims Speak Out
Kelly Lees was sexually abused by Phillips when she lived at the home from age 11 during the 1990s.
"I was a child and vulnerable. He abused so many on a daily basis.
I feel sad that I've had to fight for so many years, I feel sad that I was isolated and I'm angry because I haven't had a proper childhood, of course I'm angry."
Kelly described being targeted by Phillips, who called her his "special girl" and abused her multiple times after instructing her to do homework in his office.
She began skipping school and running away, hoping the abuse would cease if she avoided homework, but police consistently returned her to Phillips.
Kelly also spoke about struggling with survivor's guilt.
"We couldn't have done more, we were children but that still comes.
The only people who should be feeling guilty are Phillips, Brunning, social services who were around and the staff members and every other professional who knew."
Karen Bentham was abused by Phillips at age 14 in the 1990s.
"It's disappointing because he's never been forced to take accountability for what he's done,"
"He's never had to sit in the courtroom throughout the trial and listen to the damage that he's done to children."
Karen expressed relief following the verdicts after living with trauma for 30 years.
"As a child, you learn that silence is the best so you carry that and then it becomes shameful.
It's been with me all my life but now I do feel like I can breathe.
I feel free, I feel at peace and that is because I was believed and I was heard and I managed to tell my story."
Both women urged other victims of abuse at Skircoat Lodge to report their experiences to the police.
"The survivors who have just gone through the same trial as myself; I hope that is a beacon of light for others," Karen said.
"You don't need to be silent anymore and you don't need to be that scared child anymore.
Come forward, use your voice and tell your story because it needs telling and it deserves to be told."
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