New information has come to light about convicted sex offender Geoffrey John Ward Allen who was an abuser at Sedbury Park School. 2015 Sept 25 cathy fox blog Sedbury Park School Child Abuse and Timeline [1]
A person who I will call Dave has told me
Mr Ward Allen was a friendly and jovial fellow who was once employed as a lorry driver. He coached youth rowing at Worcester Rowing Club in the early nineteen eighties. He also helped coach rowing at a school in Worcester, on an informal basis. As far as I know he did not teach in Worcester, and he had no formal association with any of the schools in Worcester.
In April 1985 he took a crew of nine boys to Amsterdam for a rowing event. Ages would have been approximately 15 to 18. At the time he was working as a coach with Worcester Rowing Club.
Mr Ward Allen was generally liked by us teenagers, but there were some things about him that seemed ‘off’ to me as a 16 to 18-year-old. Looking back, I can see all kinds of red flags. In fact that’s the reason why I googled him today and came across your website.
One evening he made a point of taking us on a walking tour of the red-light district. He talked jokingly about how we as a group might visit one of prostitutes, which made me feel weird and uncomfortable. Also it seemed to me that he was interested in one of the boys in particular.
Mr Ward Allen always had the boy sit next to him (in the middle seat) when he was driving the minivan. I would stress that I never witnessed anything overtly inappropriate. I would also state that he never made any inappropriate advances towards me.
Finally, it was clear that the rowing coach at my school, not at Worcester Rowing Club, did not like Mr Ward Allen at all. Without actually saying anything to us, he made it clear that he didn’t approve of the Amsterdam trip. Now I think I know why.
Allen was convicted of offences in 1977 at Sedbury School and offences in the Worcester area in 1994/5.
The time Allen was at Worcester Rowing Cub was the 1980’s, in between these offences for which Allen was caught and found guilty.
Child abuse often occurs occur at sports because youngster change their clothes for these events, hence more opportunity. Abuse also occurs often at events away from the classroom, as well as events away from school, on trips, where there is less chance of getting caught, and the child is away from other support.
It is a concern that this man, Geoffrey Allen has found to be coaching youngsters at rowing, having been convicted of offences either side of this time, as well as that coaches coached on an informal basis at schools.
I have emailed Worcester Rowing Club to ask when Allen was a coach for them, and make them aware of the verdicts against him and to ask for their child safeguarding policy. After 5 days they still have not replied, with even an acknowledgement.
I checked on the Worcester Rowing Club website [3] and there is no child safeguarding policy or mention of one [3] to be found on their website, which is a concern.
It is irresponsible of Worcester Rowing Club to take so long in replying and not to publish a Child Safeguarding Policy, when they run a Juniors section.
In 2004 Allen was 66 so if he is alive now would be about 82.
I have updated some of the links which were dead, hence the new post rather than updating the old one.
Links
[1] 2015 Sept 25 cathy fox blog Sedbury Park School Child Abuse and Timeline https://cathyfox.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/sedbury-park-school-timeline/
[2] 2002 Jul 22 Needleblog School sex trial may be transferred to Bristol https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com/operation-greenlight/south-west-england/gloucestershire/sedbury-park-school-for-boys/ Geoffrey Allen is a former teacher
[3] Worcester Rowing Club Juniors https://wrc1874.co.uk/juniors-squad/ aged 12-18
[4]
[5] 2002 Jul 22 Worcester News School sex trial may be transferred to Bristol https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/7730325.accused-over-sex-case-offences/
[6] 2002 Feb 18 Worcester News Man denies eight sex attacks on pupils https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/7721006.man-denies-eight-sex-attacks-on-pupils/
[7] 2001 Dec 6 Worcester news ACCUSED OVER SEX CASE OFFENCES https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/7730325.accused-over-sex-case-offences/
[8] 2013 WDTK Freedom of Information Request Operation Shogun https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/189464/response/470932/attach/4/Press%20Release.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 the Senior Investigating Officers for the Operation were DI Peter Davis and DI Neil Kelly
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For appendices, see below
- 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
Appendix 1
2013 WDTK Freedom of Information Request Operation Shogun [8]
2004 Apr 6 – KN/HQ/4?? April 6 2004 A long running investigation into historic cases of child abuse at a former children’s home has resulted in the conviction of a 66-year-old man. Operation Shogun – a joint investigation between Gloucestershire Constabulary and Social Services – originally began in 1998. The investigation centred on Sedbury Park School, at Sedbury, in Gloucestershire, which was a community home under the control of the Gloucestershire Local Authority between 1973 and 1986.
The home, which no longer exists (the building now houses a nursing home for the elderly which is entirely unconnected with the investigation), catered for up to 85 adolescent boys between the ages of 13 and 16 who were referred by local authorities throughout the South West. The convicted man – 66-year-old Geoffrey John Ward Allen – was employed as residential care worker at the home.
Allen, from Worcester, worked there from 1976 to 1984 and lived in staff accommodation on the premises. During a trial heard at Bristol Crown Court in October 2003 Allen pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent assault on one victim, indecent assault and indecency with another victim and buggery and four separate indecent assaults on a further victim. All victims were under 16 at the time of the incidents.
Allen was found guilty of one count of indecent assault, committed in 1977 at the Sedbury home, and sentencing was delayed pending a further trial. Allen then appeared at Bristol Crown Court between March 9 and 11 2004 to face two indictments of indecent assault. These offences were alleged to have been committed in the Worcester area in 1994/5. On March 11 Allen was found guilty of both offences.
He was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment in total for the three offences. Details of the case have not been publicised until now due to reporting restrictions imposed at Bristol Crown Court, which have now been lifted.
DCI Pete Davis said, who led the investigation, said: “Operation Shogun has been one of the longest running enquiries mounted by Gloucestershire Constabulary, involving methodical and detailed investigations into offences committed up to thirty years ago. “The commitment of my team and our partner agencies does everyone great credit and I hope the outcome will be of comfort to the victims of such abuse.”
ENDS Note to editors: This press release was issued by Kate Nelmes, Senior Press Officer, Gloucestershire Constabulary. (01242) 276071. The nursing home now housed on the Sedbury site is completely unconnected with the case and should not be contacted or visited by the media.
Appendix 2
2004 Apr
foxblog1 
Great work Cathy,
How many more?
We need Change & We all need Justice!
> Reposted on Wakeupuk.net as I’m still suspended on tw@tter
God bless
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