I have just seen that Police have arrested 20 men for alleged involvement in Calderdale grooming gang and victims are urged to come forward “Police urge victims to come forward after crackdown in West Yorkshire”
2018 Jan 12 Independent Police arrest 20 men for alleged involvement in Calderdale grooming gang [100]
I therefore publish straight away the works in progress on a couple of articles about Calderdale that I have not looked at for a couple of years.
As they are works in progress they are obviously incomplete and there may be a need for corrections including on links, please tell me. Here is the first.
Calderdale 3 – Calderdale Report and Response
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council have released the Minutes of the Social Services Committee meeting of 9 Aug 1989 [1], and their subsequent approval by full council [2], in response to a Freedom of Information request [3].
The Social Services Meeting examined the Report of the Panel of Inquiry Report into the appointment of Dr Ryall to the post of Acting Director in 1984 and Director of Social Services at Calderdale in 1985 [6].
Dr Ryall had resigned as Social Services Director of Calderdale on 8th August 1988, and later pleaded guilty to 7 counts of indecent assault, gross indecency and buggery relating to two teenage boys [6]. He was sentenced at Leeds Crown to 6 years in jail . Dr Ryall had been given a warning in 1982 after taking photos of boys in their running kits.[6]
Brian Roycroft who had chaired the Panel of Inquiry which had written the report (aka The Calderdale Social Services Inquiry Report, aka The Rycroft Report) presented it to the meeting. It was resolved by the Committee to receive the Report, accept the conclusions and agree the recommendations and send the Report to the relevant bodies and committees.
The Panel comprised Brian Roycroft Newcastles Social Services Director, Bill Miles, formerly Chief Executive of West Yorkshire County Council and David Phillip, a barrister. Jacqueline Davies appears to have been the original lawyer, but it seems she was replaced due to illness. [10?]
The Report has previously been released on the net by Calderdale in as reported in a previous blog post [4] . It is available in two parts
Rycroft Calderdale Report
Part 1 Download [7]
Part 2 Download [8]
There are 25 conclusions in the report. Perhaps the most important is at number 23. This states that “We found no evidence that offences were being committed against other boys” and quotes section 13.19.
13.19 states “There is no evidence that offences were being committed against any other boys. The police satisfied themselves on this point. None of the offences were committed on boys whilst in care.”
Sexual offences were being committed against children in Calderdales care by Ryall and other Calderdale staff. [operation screen and ryall trial 2 ad pers comm] The fact that the Police, Council and the report “did not find it ” was the biggest failing of the Inquiry.
Was it in the terms of inquiry?
the terms of the inquiry were mainly to investigate recruitment methods and procedures of his appointments, circumstances surrounding Ryalls resignation -any abuse of Ryalls position or inadequacy of management or practices of social services dept or any other department, recommendatiosn whether organisation, management procedures or practices could be improved? [1.2]
The TOR should have been written to investigate whether abuse was happening within childrens homes or within council care. Arguably this could be said to be included if the abuse was taken in a wider sense rather than narrowly confined to abuse of chidren but not in care ,But ieven f not it should have been , so this is no defence as council and roycroft agree terms jointly and iteratively.
Perahps his stated of aim restoring faith in Calderdale SS [20] was a driving force?
He said he wanted to restore confidence in Calderdales Social Service Department and to “demolish the unhappy rumour that Dr Ryalls behaviour reflects in any way on th ework of the department”.
Childrens Homes in Calderdale approx 1990 included 192/193 Huddersfield Rd Halifax (unprosecuted rapist there related to one of the others [pers comm]) Theophilus Cottage [S14.1] Alloe Field View [S10.3], Dobroyd Castle (approved school). Skircoat Lodge Assessment Centre (Phillips, Shalders and Ryall all abusers here [pers comm]), Cousin Lane, Moor End (private – several abusers [pers comm]) Westgarth, Close Lea, — Time out? Old Hall? {I am looking for all the childrens homes in Calderdale at this time and since if anyone can help me}
It recommended tougher vetting, was critical of Chief Executive Michael Ellison who knew of the previous warning, and praised others who took issue with Ryalls unprofessional conduct. The Report was sent to David Mellor Health Secretary.
The report does not remotely deal the issue of whether most
there was skircoat lodge assessment centre (phillips, shalders, ryall all abusers here. some physical abuse from female staff too) cousin lane, alloefield view 192 huddersfield road (postal address was actually 193. unprosecuted rapist there that was related by blood to phillips) moor end (private-run, several abusers) dobroyd castle (approved school. o’hagan was arrested under Operation Screen along with phillips and shalders. o’hagan died before his trial, natural causes. shalders died in prison, phillips lives in birmingham, ryall lives in west yorks) close lea (phillips’ wife Anne worked here after the marriage split in 1990) westgarth ( http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/westgarth-did-not-meet-basic-standards-1-1896119 ) http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/crime/west-yorkshire-police-commissioner-shocked-by-scale-of-child-exploitation-1-6818333 ryall, when he was arrested in 1988 was allegedly found hiding in phillips’ private flat in skircoat lodge. he had been there over a week, on the run.. hope this info helps. use any of it as you see fit.
Westgarth did not meet basic standards
Links with Paedophiles
1964 Oct – June 1968 Teacher /Headmaster Aycliffe School Darlington. His time at Aycliffe crosses over with convicted paedophile Derek Brushett 1967- May 74 at Aycliffe [1] . More information on Brushett [2]
Malcolm Osric Phillips 1976- 1994 Skircoat Lodge. Phillips, of Lincolnshire, denied 29 charges of indecent assault, indecency with a child, rape and buggery against 10 complainants – all female.He was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of 16 offences of indecent assault and two offences of committing an act of indecency with a child.
Andrew James Shalders 1976 – 1988 Skircoat Lodge. Shalders, of Featherstall Road, Littleborough, Rochdale, denied over 30 charges of buggery, indecent assault and indecency with a child. All the offences were against males. He was jailed for 15 years after he was found guilty of 22 of the offences and acquitted of a further 14. Died in prison. [pers comm]
Terrence Thomas O’Hagan
Childrens Homes
Childrens Homes or children in care at any of a number of Calderdales homes which included 192/193 Huddersfield Rd Halifax (unprosecuted rapist there related to one of the others [pers comm]) Theophilus Cottage [S14.1] Alloe Field View [S10.3], Dobroyd Castle (approved school). Skircoat Lodge Assessment Centre (Phillips, Shalders and Ryall all abusers here [pers comm]), Cousin Lane, Moor End (private – several abusers [pers comm]) Westgarth, Close Lea, — Time out? Old Hall? {I am looking for all the childrens homes in Calderdale at this time and since if anyone can help me}
Report Timeline
more details of rod ryall see my other post
1961-66 Assistant Scout Leader Hertfordshire [S15.5]
1964 Oct – June 1968 Teacher /Headmaster Aycliffe School Darlington. Housemaster approved school in Durham. [S3.2] In charge of house unit of 30 boys in the training school.
1967-May 1974 *{His time at Aycliffe crosses over with convicted paedophile Derek Brushett 1967- May 74 at Aycliffe [1] . more information on Brushett [2] }
1967-71 Pembroke College Cambridge University Institute of Criminology – Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology 1968, then PhD. Thesis “Impact of Approved School Training on Delinquent Boys” [3.2] 1971 now Dr. Ryall as a PhD Doctor of Philosophy not a medical Doctor.
Oct 1971 -Sept 1972 Ryall Deputy Headmaster Tennal Regional Observation and Assessment Centre Birmingham. [App 4] Approved School in Birmingham [3.2]
1972 Sept – Mar 1974 Ryall Professional Advisor to Wessex Childrens Regional Planning in Southampton.
1973-74 Ryall District Scout Leader Hampshire [S15.5]
1973 Local Government reorganisation
1973 Dec Calderdale Council advertised for Assistant Director Social Services. Ryall was applicant. He was 31.
1974 Apr 1 Calderdale Borough council formed by amalgamation of County Borough of Halifax and 8 smaller district councils or parts. Population of 192,000.
1974 April Dr Ryall first post with Calderdale as Assistant Director [7]
1974-1982 Summary of Ryalls responsibilites at Calderdale [S4.1]
1975-77 Scout Leader in Halifax (Sowerby) District of West Yorkshire [S15.5]
1976 Ryall took on responsibility for residential after departmental inquiry re foster care case! [s4.1]
1982 July Camping Trip with homosexual activity told by Inmate of Council run Theophilus Cottage Donald H [S14.3]
1982 July 7 Mrs Riding rang Ryall and he visited her that evening at Theophilus Cottage.[S14.3] Ryall made his notes and gave them to his manager Mr Jones
1982 Oct “The incident” [S5] Ryall met 2 brothers at the supermarket who made pocket money from helping shoppers with their shopping trolleys. He gave them a large tip. Subsequently he paid for them to go to the swimming baths and bought them snacks. They ended up with Ryall taking photographs of them in shorts and vests with animal masks on simulating fighting. Another brother was in care of Calderdale Council and his social worker, Miss Lamb reported this to the police and told the Area Director of Social Services Mr. Green. [S5.1] The police found no criminal offence had been committed [5.2]
1982 November. Council gave Ryall first and final warning re taking photos at his home of young boys [5.5] Ryall admitted his foolishness and said he was sorry.[S5.5]
1982/3 Ryall developed a relationship with John B [S8.1] [S9.1] which by 1984 had developed into mutual masturbation and oral sex when John B was 13 or 14. [S9.2]
Ryall also started relationship with Thomas D [S11.3]
1984 Ryalls address was Moonrakers, Scar Bottom Lane, Greetland, Halifax , North Yorkshire [Appendix 4]
1984 Nov 23 Ryall took over management of Department following retirements of Director and Deputy Director. [App4] Mr Taylor and Mr Jones had been blamed after internal inquiry for poor management following the death of child in care by fosterparents. [6.2] {possibly child was Emma Hughes died 1981}
1984 Dec 11 Ryall Appointed Acting Director
1985 Jan Ryall signed Application form for ? [App4]
1985 Mar 20 Ryall appointment to Director of Social Services by Social Services Committee in close decision [S7.4]
1986 Nov 17 Memo from Mr Green to Dr Ryall re John B re unprofessional contact [App 6]
1986 Ryalls relationship with Thomas D developed more [S11.3] and included attempts at buggery of which one succeeded. He paid Thomas D £15 for gardening and washing car, often on Saturdays, during which time sexual relations occurred. The money fed Thomas D gambling addiction. [S11.3]
1988 Jan 19 Halifax Courier article about child abuse with accompanying comments by Ryall. Mr Pearson had been a member of Calderdale Council from 1975-85 and been deputy leader of the Conservative group. He would not speak to the Inquiry Panel, but made a statement to Police [S13.6]
1988 Jan 21 Pearson wrote to Geoffrey Dickens, enclosing Halifax Courier article and expressing concern about Ryall. He received a reply from his own MP Mr Donald Thompson. Mr Thompson wrote to the Home Office and received a reply from Lord Ferrers a minister at that department. The Home Office referred the matter to the police in Halifax about the 1982 incident. Correspondence was also drawn to the attention of Edwina Currie minister at DHSS. [S13.8]
1988 Mar 11 Mr Ellison received a visit from Detective Superintendent ME Saunders and Detective Chief Inspector BE Sidebottom of West Yorkshire Police stationed at Halifax. [S13.10] . He discovered that there had been a previous police investigation but that the files had been destroyed (some 6 years after??) [S13.12] The boys were re interviewed. The matter might have rested here but for one of the social workers interviewed was Mr Green who also knew about Mr Ryalls involvement with later abuse.
1988 Mar 14 Mr Pearson statement to Police [S13.6]
1988 Jun 28 Dr Ryall wrote a letter of resignation after being told by Police they were due to interview Mr Green. This was later found unsigned and unsent after Ryalls arrest
1988 Jun 29 Police interview with Mr Green in which he told of his suspicions re sexual impropriety by Ryall. interviews with John B and Thomas D. Ryall denied charges
1988 Jun 30 Ryall admitted offences
1988 Aug 5 Search of Ryall home in presence of his solicitor. [S13.13] Ryall arrested [S10.25]
1988 Aug 8 Ryall appeared in court for first time [S13.14] Ryall resignation as Director Social Services [S13.14]
1988 Nov 24 Ryall had pleaded Guilty and was Convicted at Leeds Crown Court of two charges of indecent assault against a boy aged under 16, two charges of indecent assault, two of gross indecency, and one of buggery against a second boy. At the time of the offences he was Director of Social Services with Calderdale Borough Council. [S1.1]
1988 Dec 1Social Work Today [6a] System of checking queried after director jailed for sex offences
1989 Feb Appointment of Panel of Inquiry into Dr Ryalls Appointment
1989 Feb 8 [S1.3] Panel sat for 12 days in Halifax [S1.4]
1989 Feb 9 Social Work Today [6b] [20?]National Issue faces inquiry into jailed director
1989 Feb 16 Social Work Today [6c] Ryall Team hears councillors evidence
1989 Mar 2 Social Work Today [6d] Inquiry team to visit Ryall soon
1989 Mar 30 Social Work Today [6e] Ryall report expected soon
1989 Aug 9 Calderdale Social Services Committee accepted the Report [1]
1989 Aug 9 Calderdale Social Services Report Published ? aka Ryall Report aka Rycroft Report Part 1 [7] Part 2 [8] Summary of Conclusions and Appendices
1989 Aug 10 Community Care [] Linda Chamberlain says tougher vetting for posts
1989 Sept? Full Council accepts Social Services Minutes [2]
2001 Nov 21 Halifax Courier Phillips and Shalders [19]
2005 May 21 Halifax Courier [21] Westgarth did not meet standards http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/westgarth-did-not-meet-basic-standards-1-1896119
2009 June 6 The Northern Echo [15] Ryall arrested and interviewed
2009 Sep 28 The Journal [14] Ryall charged with a number of offences dating back to his time at Aycliffe. A spokesman for Durham Police said: “A 67-year-old man from Mirfield, in West Yorkshire, was charged with 13 sexual offences, some dating from more than 40 years ago. “Between 1967 and 1970, he is accused of a total of six cases of indecent assault and four of gross indecency. His alleged victims were two 15-year-old boys at the former approved school in County Durham. “He is charged with a further two counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency alleged on a 13-year-old boy in West Yorkshire between 1975 and 1977. At that time the man was said to have been a Scout leader.” Soon after Dr Ryall graduated, in 1961, he became a housemaster at the approved school, before working at a similar facility in the Midlands.
2010 Oct 15 Due to appear Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court [14]
2010 Sept 15 Huddersfield Daily Examiner [16] Mirfield Man Rod Ryall Accused
2010 Sep 15 The Journal [17] Former Scout Leader Rod Ryall
2010 Sept 25 Halifax Courier [18] Ryall Case thrown out- The case against a former housemaster at an approved school accused of child abuse has been thrown out by a judge. accused Durham Police of carrying out “a witch hunt” Judge George Moorhouse threw out the case, agreeing with Ms Griffiths’ lengthy submissions.
2013 Aug 8 Cathy Fox [4] Social Service Inquiry Report Blog Post
2014 Jan 22 FOI request [3]
2014 Sept Ryall aged 72
2014 Sept 2 Halifax Courier [22] Police Commissioner shocked by scale of child exploitation
Links
[1] 1989 Aug 9 H55 Social Services Minutes https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/194320/response/481183/attach/4/FOI%2000867%20minutes%209%20Aug%201989%20ScannedImage.pdf
[2] 1989 Full Council Approval of 9 Aug minutes A 41 https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/194320/response/512101/attach/4/ScannedImage.pdf
[3] 2014 Jan 22 FOI request https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/council_response_to_rycroft_repo#incoming-481183
[4] 2013 Aug 8 Cathy Fox Social Service Inquiry Report Blog Post https://cathyfox.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/calderdale-social-services-inquiry-report-july-1989-by-roycroft-miles-and-philp-into-dr-ryall/
[5] Spotlight on Abuse Category Calderdale https://spotlightonabuse.wordpress.com /category/calderdale/
[6] Spotlight Social Work Today 5 Articles Rod Ryall Inquiry Dec 1988- Mar 1989
[6a] 1988 Dec 1 Social Work Today System of checking queried after director jailed for sex offences r https://spotlightonabuse.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/swt0112881.jpg?w=300&h=271
[6b] 1989 Feb 9 Social Work Today National Issue faces inquiry into jailed director https://spotlightonabuse.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/swt090289.jpg?w=177&h=300
[6c] 1989 Feb 16 Social Work Today Ryall Team hears councillors evidence https://spotlightonabuse.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/swt160288.jpg?w=300&h=222
[6d] 1989 Mar 2 Social Work Today Inquiry team to visit Ryall soon https://spotlightonabuse.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/swt020389.jpg?w=267&h=300
[6e] 1989 Mar 30 Social Work Today Ryall report expected soon https://spotlightonabuse.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/swt300389.jpg?w=300&h=166
[7] Calderdale Social Services Report aka Ryall Report aka Rycroft Report Part 1 https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/168066/response/421274/attach/3/FOI%2012693%20Report.pdf
[8] Calderdale Social Services Report aka Ryall report Rycroft Report Part 2 Summary of Conclusions and Appendices https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/168066/response/421275/attach/2/FOI%2012693%20Report%202.pdf
[9]
[10]
[11] Needleblog Brain Rod Ryall https://webbrain.com/brainpage/brain/0FE31538-2121-8495-33A5-86073BE95DE1/thought/1#-2116
[12] See [5]
[13] Cathy Fox Category Calderdale https://cathyfox.wordpress.com/category/calderdale/
[14] 2009 Sep 28 The Journal Ryall charged http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/ex-social-services-boss-dr-rod-4474390
[15] 2009 June 6 the Northern Echo Ryall arrested and interviewed http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4424019.Former_house_master_in_sex_assault_inquiry/
[16] 2010 Sept 15 Huddersfield Daily Examiner Mirfield Man Rod Ryall Accused http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/mirfield-man-rod-ryall-accused-4986832
[17] 2010 Sep 15 The Journal Former Scout leader Rod Ryall http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/former-scout-leader-rod-ryall-4450133
[18] 2010 Sept 25 Halifax Courier Ryall Case thrown out http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/ryall-case-thrown-out-amid-witchhunt-claim-1-2998071
[19] 2001 Nov 21 Halifax Courier Phillips and Shalders http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/child-carers-jailed-for-despicable-sex-crimes-1-1987309
[20] 1989 Feb 9 Social Work Today National Issue re Social Services http://spotlightonabuse.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/swt090289.jpg
[21] 2005 May 21 Halifax Courier Westgarth did not meet basic standards http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/westgarth-did-not-meet-basic-standards-1-1896119
[22] 2014 Sept 2 Halifax Courier Police Commissioner shocked by scale of child exploitation http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/crime/west-yorkshire-police-commissioner-shocked-by-scale-of-child-exploitation-1-6818333
[23] panel Photo https://cathyfox.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/roycroft.jpg
[24] Op Screen West Yorks https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/childabuseoperation_operation_sc#incoming-497094
[25] Calderdale Reports on Skircroft https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/calderdale_reports_on_skircroft
[100] 2018 Jan 12 Independent Police arrest 20 men for alleged involvement in Calderdale grooming gang http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/calderdale-grooming-gang-police-arrest-20-men-involvement-child-sexual-abuse-trafficking-girls-add-a8155541.html
- The Sanctuary for the Abused [A] has advice on how to prevent triggers.
- National Association for People Abused in Childhood [B] has a freephone helpline and has links to local support groups.
- One in Four [C]
- Havoca [D].
- Useful post on Triggers [E] from SurvivorsJustice [F] blog.
- Jim Hoppers pages on Mindfulness [G] and Meditation [H] may be useful.
- Hwaairfan blog An Indigenous Australian Approach to Healing Trauma [J]
- Survivors UK for victims and survivors of male rape or the sexual abuse of men [K]
- Voicing CSA group [L] helps arrange survivors meetings in your area
- A Prescription for me blog Various emotional support links [M]
- Fresh Start Foundation Scottish not for profit group, helping child sexual abuse victims & survivors [N]
[A] Sanctuary for the Abused http://abusesanctuary.blogspot.co.uk/2006/07/for-survivors-coping-with-triggers-if.html
Let justice be done though the heavens fall – Fiat justitia ruat cælum
cathy fox blog on child abuse 
reblogged
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thanks hgj
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There is a Children’s Home in Dinely, Todmorden, Calderdale.
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