This was a post in progress but I am publishing now, so that it may be used by others, as i have not worked on it for a couple of years.
As such there may be parts incomplete or that need correction. Pleaee point out any in comments
Operation Screen
1997 Oct to 2002 Jan Operation Screen was a joint Police and Social Services Operation, based at Halifax Police Station. Chief Superintendent Musgrove led the enquiry until his retirement in September 1998 when Detective Chief Superintendent Mclean took over. There were 10 Police officers in total involved in the operation.[25]
The Operation examined sexual abuse and serious physical abuse allegations perpetrated by carers and others in authority who worked at Calderdale Residential Children’s Homes or had children in their care. Skircoat Lodge Observation and Assessment Centre was the main focus, however some investigations were conducted into Mixenden Childrens Home and Dobroyd Castle School. [25]
- Terence Thomas O’Hagan was charged with Buggery of a male under 16 and indecent assault on a male under 16 years. However he died before conviction.
- Malcolm Osric Phillips received 7 years imprisonment from Judge Rodney Grant [8] for 12 counts of Indecent Assault on a Female under 14, 1 count of Indecent Assault on a Female 16 or over and 1 count of Gross Indecency with a Child (girl) under 16.
- Andrew James Shalders received 15 years imprisonment for 11 counts of Indecent Assault on a Male under 14, 1 count of Indecent Assault on a Male Under 16 and 2 counts of Gross Indecency with a Child (male) under 16.
- Additionally, 6 other individuals were arrested in connection with sexual and physical abuse. However there was insufficient evidence for charges and no prosecutions were brought. [most of article 4]
The inquiry also uncovered sexual abuse at other homes, including Dobroyd Castle, a secure boy’s home in Todmorden. Retired staff member Terence O’Hagan, 67, was charged with assaults on boys aged 14 to 16 between 1973 and 1975. Before the trial, he died of natural causes at his home in Bootle, Merseyside. [19]? or [18] [1]
Two men and a woman from Mixenden children’s home and two women and a man from Skircoat Lodge were also arrested in connection with sexual and physical abuse, but there was insufficient evidence for charges [19] or [8] and 1[]
All physical papers have now been destroyed in line with Management of Police Information (MOPI) Guidance 2010. However, an archived electronic account for the operation still exists. All Social Services documents were returned to Calderdale Social Services.[]
Bradford Crown Court [3]
Calderdale Paedophiles Timeline
1942 March 8 Rod A Ryall born [Appendix 4]
1954-1961 Merchant Taylors School Northwood Hertfordshire. 8 O levels 1957 , 3 A Levels 1960 {3 years between ??} [Appendix 4] Headmaster Hugh Elder [9]
1961-64 Corpus Christi Oxford BA 2nd Class Hons in Natural Sciences. Later took MA . [Appendix 4 8] He read History [S3.2] {? natural sciences on his application form} [appendix 4], Chairman of University Scout and Guide Club. University interests were athletics, scouting, orienteering and photography. [S3.2]
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.
*{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.
Criminology (from Latin crīmen, “accusation”; and Greek -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of the nature, extent, management, control, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior, both on the individual and social levels. Criminology is an interdisciplinary field in the behavioral sciences, drawing especially upon the research of sociologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social anthropologists, as well as scholars of law. [10]
Oct 1971 -Sept 1972 Deputy Headmaster Tennal Regional Observation and Assessment Centre Birmingham. [App 4] Approved School in Birmingham [3.2]
1972 Sept – Mar 1974 Professional Advisor to Wessex Childrens Regional Planning in Southampton.
1973-74 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.
1973-5 Assaults perpetrated by O’Hagan on boys aged 14-16 at Dobroyd that he was later charged with in 2001 [19]
1974 Apr 1 Director 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 Shalders started at Skircoat as care worker from Birmingham – which institution? He had been housemaster for four years at an establishment for boys aged 12-17. He qualified on a training course for social workers and took up the post of principal at Skircoat Lodge in 1976.[8]
1976 Shalders offences at Skircoat from 1976-1988 [8]
1977/8 Shalders appointed Senior Resident Social Worker at Skircoat [8]
1981 Death of Emma Hughes which probably caused 2 Directors of SS to resign in 1984 letting Ryall in as Director of Social Services
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]
Also started relationship with Thomas D [S11.3]
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]
1985 month ? Shalders suspended after 1 skircoat resident and 4 past residents complained he sexually assaulted them.[1] Reinstated a month later [8] for lack of evidence [1]
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 which month? Shalders moved from Children s Services to Adult Services and worked with people with learning difficulties.[8]
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] Allegedly found hiding in Phillips’ private flat in Skircoat lodge. He had been there over a week, on the run [pers comm]
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]
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 Aug 9 Calderdale Social Services Committee accepted the Report
1989 Aug 10 Community Care, Linda Chamberlain says tougher vetting for posts
1994 NSPCC report criticised Skircoat on various issues
1995 Ex resident accused Shalders of rape [1] No charges brought
1996 Phillips dismissed as result of NSPCC report [1]
1997 New Social Services Director Chris Babbs decided to hold investigation, expected to last just a few months [1] Man aged 40 [3] walks into Surrey Police station and accuses Shalders of rape. The inquiry expanded from team of 2 social workers to 16 who worked with Police on Operation Screen. [1]
1997 Oct to 2002 Jan Operation Screen was a joint Police and Social Services Operation, based at Halifax Police Station. Chief Superintendent Musgrove led the enquiry until his retirement in September 1998 when Detective Chief Superintendent Mclean took over. There were 10 Police officers in total involved in the operation.[4]
It examined sexual abuse and serious physical abuse allegations perpetrated by carers and others in authority who worked at Calderdale Residential Children’s Homes or had children in their care. Skircoat Lodge Observation and Assessment Centre was the main focus, however some investigations were conducted into Mixenden Childrens Home and Dobroyd Castle School. [4]
2,500 people were interviewed and 880 statements were taken. Seventy eight people made allegations [3]
1998 Shalders left Skircoat to work with mentally handicapped adults [1] Shalders suspended by Calderdale and arrested. [1]
1998 Nov 20 BBC [6] Call for Skircoat Lodge stories
2001 Phillip Lewer new Calderdale Social Services Director
Nov 19 2001 ? Bradford Crown Court
Terence Thomas O’Hagan was charged with Buggery of a male under 16 and indecent assault on a male under 16 years. However he died before conviction.
Malcolm Osric Phillips received 7 years imprisonment for 12 counts of Indecent Assault on a Female under 14, 1 count of Indecent Assault on a Female 16 or over and 1 count of Gross Indecency with a Child (girl) under 16.
Andrew James Shalders received 15 years imprisonment for 11 counts of Indecent Assault on a Male under 14, 1 count of Indecent Assault on a Male Under 16 and 2 counts of Gross Indecency with a Child (male) under 16.
Additionally, 6 other individuals were arrested in connection with sexual and physical abuse. However there was insufficient evidence for charges and no prosecutions were brought. [4]
The inquiry also uncovered sexual abuse at other homes, including Dobroyd Castle, a secure boy’s home in Todmorden. Retired staff member Terence O’Hagan, 67, was charged with assaults on boys aged 14 to 16 between 1973 and 1975. Before the trial, he died of natural causes at his home in Bootle, Merseyside. [1]
Two men and a woman from Mixenden children’s home and two women and a man from Skircoat Lodge were also arrested in connection with sexual and physical abuse, but there was insufficient evidence for charges. [1]
2001 Nov 20 Yorkshire Post [1] Amy Binns * Lives ruined by legacy of secret abuse
2001 Nov 21 Halifax Courier [3] It Must Never Happen Again re Malcolm Philips and Andrew Shalders Skircoat lodge
2001 Nov 21 Halifax Courier Phillips and Shalders [8] http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/child-carers-jailed-for-despicable-sex-crimes-1-1987309
2001 Nov Head of Childrens Services was Kitty Ferris [3] Not known how long she had been in post. A NSPCC representative was Joe Cocker [3]
2001 Nov end A major inquiry into Calderdale children s services to get under way by the Area Child Protection Committee will try to find out what lessons can be learned. [3]
2003 May Kelvin Cochrane, who was not on the child-protection register, died after he was thrown against his bedroom wall in Queen’s Road, Halifax, by his young mum’s boyfriend. Lee Camplin, now 21, was jailed for 10 years for manslaughter and cruelty. Kelvin’s young mother, was found guilty of neglect and given a community rehabilitation order. [20]
2005 Mar 11 Halifax Courier [20] Death of Kelvin Cochrane Secrecy. Area child protection committee that nothing could have been done to save Kelvin but did not show some relatives the Report of the investigation which was led by independent expert Roger Thompson. [20] http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/fury-at-kelvin-secrecy-1-1960167
2005 May 3 Halifax Courier [22] Kelly Thornham Westgarth did not meet basic standards A report, carried out by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in January, revealed the troubled home in Elland has “serious weaknesses”. It says many minimum care standards have not been met by the home and that it has still not acted upon issues raised in its previous report carried out in July last year. Calderdale Council, which runs the home, has set up its own investigation into its staffing situation, it reveals. http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/westgarth-did-not-meet-basic-standards-1-1896119
2009 Sep 28 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. [14]
2010 Oct 15 Ryall due to appear Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court [14]
2010 Sept 2010 The case against a former housemaster, Ryall, 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 his defences Ms Griffiths’ lengthy submissions. [18]
[23] 2014 Sep 2 Halifax Courier [23] West Yorkshire 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
2014 Ryall aged 72, Phillips , St, ohagan
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.
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.
Philips and ryall previous links in Birmingham ? [1]
Links
[1] 2001 Nov 20 Yorkshire Post Lives ruined by legacy of secret abuse http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/local-stories/lives-ruined-by-legacy-of-secret-abuse-1-2414695
[2] Needleblog Operation Greenlight Skircoat lodge https://webbrain.com/brainpage/brain/0FE31538-2121-8495-33A5-86073BE95DE1/thought/1#-451
[3] 2001 Nov 21 Halifax Courier It Must Never Happen Again re Malcolm Philips and Andrew Shalders Skircoat lodge http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/it-must-never-happen-again-1-1988602
[4] Operation Screen pdf download on Operation Screen from W Yorkshire Police http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=skircoat%20lodge%20child%20abuse%20report&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westyorkshire.police.uk%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Ffiles%2Fdisclosure-logs%2F2014_180_foi20132337216_operation_screen.pdf&ei=6b0IVLXfK8vLaPTigaAJ&usg=AFQjCNEZuKxK6276-Igjq8BTiEk9oSY5aw&sig2=FQ_xMEx5kUj4T6WoFBt9kw&bvm=bv.74649129,d.d2s
[5] Personal stories of abuse http://brynalynvictims.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/malcolm-osric-phillips.html
[6] 1998 Nov 20 BBC Call for Skircoat stories http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/218679.stm
[7] Survivor stories http://www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=241465
[8] 2001 Nov 21 Halifax Courier Child Carers Jailed for Despicable crimes re Phillips and Shalders http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/child-carers-jailed-for-despicable-sex-crimes-1-1987309
[19] Needleblog https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com/operation-greenlight/yorkshire-humber/calderdale/skircoat-lodge-childrens-home/
[20] 2005 Mar 11 Halifax Courier Death of Kelvin Cochrane Secrecy http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/fury-at-kelvin-secrecy-1-1960167
[21] 1981 death of emma hughes , resignations nov 84
[22] 2005 May 3 Halifax Courier http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/westgarth-did-not-meet-basic-standards-1-1896119
[23] 2014 Sep 2 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
[24] 2014 march Bryn Alyn Victims survivor story http://brynalynvictims.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/calderdale-social-services.html
[25] see 4 Operation Screen FOI answer pdf download
Appendix 1
FOI request []
Operation Screen in the 1980s into child abuse at Skircoat Lodge Halifax
1 What was the purpose, remit and terms of reference of the operation
The purpose of Operation Screen was to examine sexual abuse allegations and other concerns within Calderdale Social Services and Residential Children’s Homes. Skircoat Lodge Observation and Assessment Centre was the main focus, however some investigations were conducted into Mixenden Childrens Home and Dobroyd Castle School.
The terms of reference restricted enquires to allegations of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse perpetrated by carers who worked at residential care homes in Calderdale or others in authority with or toward children in their care.
2 What dates it ran
Operation Screen ran from October 1997 to January 2002.
3 What results it achieved in terms of number of arrests, number charged, number of convictions and for what offences for each if the information is held
Terence Thomas O’Hagan was charged with Buggery of a male under 16 and indecent assault on a male under 16 years. However he died before conviction.
Malcolm Osric Phillips received 7 years imprisonment for 12 counts of Indecent Assault on a Female under 14, 1 count of Indecent Assault on a Female 16 or over and 1 count of Gross Indecency with a Child (girl) under 16.
Andrew James Shalders received 15 years imprisonment for 11 counts of Indecent Assault on a Male under 14, 1 count of Indecent Assault on a Male Under 16 and 2 counts of Gross Indecency with a Child (male) under 16.
Additionally, 6 other individuals were arrested in connection with sexual and physical abuse. However there was insufficient evidence for charges and no prosecutions were brought.
4 Who the Police officer was in charge and how many officers were on the operation
Chief Superintendent Musgrove led the enquiry until his retirement in September 1998 when Detective Chief Superintendent Mclean took over. There were 10 Police officers in total involved in the operation.
5 Why the operation was instigated
West York Police became aware of a number of allegations of sexual abuse. These allegations were quite properly investigated as soon as they became known.
6 Where the operation was run from and what area did it cover
The operation was based at Halifax Police Station and the offences covering the Calderdale area. It was a joint Police/Social Services investigation.
7 Why was the name chosen and whether it had always had that name or whether there were connected operations
All operation names are taken at random from a list supplied by the Force Intelligence Bureau. The names have no specific meaning or relationship to the investigation
8 Where this information is now kept, and in what form -physical or electronic
All physical papers have now been destroyed in line with Management of Police Information (MOPI) Guidance 2010. However, an archived electronic account for the operation still exists. All Social Services documents were returned to Calderdale Social Services.
Additionally, West Yorkshire Police can neither confirm nor deny that we hold any other information relevant to the whole request by virtue of section 23(5) – Information supplied by, or concerning, certain security bodies.
However, this should not be taken as conclusive evidence that the information you requested exists or does not exist.
- 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 
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Can you please call me as I would be grateful if you could give me some advice on how and who would be the best legal team to get help from in closing my complaint with skircoat lodge,,, please call me on {redacted],as I seem to only be paying legel aid and feel that my complaint is only bieng dragged on,as I was told I had settled with the council and the case would be closed over 6 months ago, today I was given a call and told this would go on longer than a year or two I? Was told by a barrister that I could put this all behind me 7,8 months ago, this is s really taken a toll on me as it has gone on for almost 3 years plus.please is there someone out there who is genuinely wanting to help without making money of our misery, please this has made me feel suicidal, please help
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Hi I have had to take your phone number off in case weird people ring. I cannot ring as i do not phone as i have cfs/me. If you email me on blog@cathyfox.33mail.com i will try and advise you . If anyone else has contacted lawyers about skircoat can you let me know thanks. You are not alone, the abuse was not your fault, if you want to drop out of any action you can, or you can drop your present lawyers. The experience you had was horrific and the thoughts you have are common, please email me
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Hi have you found somebody to help you yet as I was in the and I have got a good solicitor That don’t want to make money out of what happened to us in there and I can put you intuch with her if you not found no one yet
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