Fury as children's home manager who sexually abused boys and girls in 18-year 'regime of fear' walks free
The judge said she was bound by law after a trial of facts found Phillips abused six children over nearly two decades.
- On Monday, Judge Kirstie Watson granted an absolute discharge to Malcolm Phillips, 93, after a trial of facts found he committed sexual offenses against six children at Skircoat Lodge Care Home in Halifax between 1976 and 1994.
- Phillips was deemed unfit for a criminal trial due to age and ill-health, forcing a trial of facts where jurors determined he committed the alleged acts without imposing a custodial sentence.
- While Phillips avoided prison, his former assistant Linda Brunning was jailed for 25 years for aiding and abetting the abuse, which prosecutors described as occurring within an 'unfettered and unreported' regime at the home.
- Victims expressed anger at the sentencing, with Kelly Lees stating she was 'furious' Phillips avoided prison, while Karen Bentham explained the trial finally allowed her to address trauma carried for 30 years.
- Judge Watson, 'bound by the statutory framework,' also issued a sexual harm prevention order against Phillips, noting that the trial process provided the victims a voice despite the discharge outcome.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Children’s home boss who abused boys and girls in two-decade ‘regime of fear’ avoids prison
A children's home boss who sexually abused young children in a near two-decade "regime of fear" has avoided prison.In February, a jury found that Malcolm Phillips committed sexual offences against four girls and two boys between 1976 and 1994.But the 93-year-old cannot be jailed because of his health - meaning jurors just asked to determine if the facts were true.Judge Kirstie Watson admitted she had to deliver a sentence of absolute discharge w…
Paedophile care home boss, 93, walks free after being found unfit to stand trial
Former children's home manager Malcolm Phillips sexually abused 'numerous' 'numerous' boys and girls during an 18-year 'regime of fear' at Skircoat Lodge Care Home in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
‘That’s not justice’ - Fury as paedophile children’s home boss, 93, walks free
Furious victims of a 93-year-old paedophile children’s home manager who abused vulnerable youngsters for almost two decades raged as he walked free after being found unfit to stand trial.
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