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Shefford priest John Ryan, accused of abuse, arrested in 2003 | Shefford priest John Ryan, accused of abuse, arrested in 2003 |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A priest at the centre of claims of sexual and physical abuse at a Catholic orphanage was arrested in 2003. | |
Former residents have alleged they were abused by Father John Ryan at St Francis Boys Home in Shefford, near Bedford, in the 1950s and 1960s. | Former residents have alleged they were abused by Father John Ryan at St Francis Boys Home in Shefford, near Bedford, in the 1950s and 1960s. |
The BBC understands Fr Ryan, who died in 2008, was released without charge. | |
The Crown Prosecution Service said it was trying to establish whether it was contacted by Bedfordshire Police to give advice during the investigation. | |
Bedfordshire Police started a new investigation after a former resident alleged he was sexually abused by Fr Ryan. | Bedfordshire Police started a new investigation after a former resident alleged he was sexually abused by Fr Ryan. |
'Like Oliver Twist' | 'Like Oliver Twist' |
The man, who is now in his 50s and cannot named for legal reasons, told the BBC last month: "Father Ryan abused me. He used to get me up to his office. Then he turned round and said 'If you let me fondle you, I won't hit you'. | The man, who is now in his 50s and cannot named for legal reasons, told the BBC last month: "Father Ryan abused me. He used to get me up to his office. Then he turned round and said 'If you let me fondle you, I won't hit you'. |
"It took place every six months. I was a pet. He ruined those years. It was terrible." | "It took place every six months. I was a pet. He ruined those years. It was terrible." |
The BBC has since heard of a large number of cases of alleged physical abuse by Fr Ryan. | The BBC has since heard of a large number of cases of alleged physical abuse by Fr Ryan. |
Willy O'Brien, 63, who now lives in El Paso, Texas, said he hoped the new police investigation would have more success than the 2003 inquiry. | Willy O'Brien, 63, who now lives in El Paso, Texas, said he hoped the new police investigation would have more success than the 2003 inquiry. |
"The orphanage was like in Oliver Twist. I was beaten until I bled," he said. | "The orphanage was like in Oliver Twist. I was beaten until I bled," he said. |
'Apology call' | 'Apology call' |
Sidney Hibbitt, 64, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, said as well as regular physical abuse, some boys were sexually assaulted. | Sidney Hibbitt, 64, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, said as well as regular physical abuse, some boys were sexually assaulted. |
Gordon McIntosh, 63, of Roehampton, south-west London, said a number of former residents were looking at starting legal action and were meeting for a reunion on 22 June. | Gordon McIntosh, 63, of Roehampton, south-west London, said a number of former residents were looking at starting legal action and were meeting for a reunion on 22 June. |
"I suffered physical canings and beatings," said Mr McIntosh. | "I suffered physical canings and beatings," said Mr McIntosh. |
Damian Chittock, 51, of Tower Hamlets, east London, called on the church to issue an apology to boys at the home who were allegedly abused. | Damian Chittock, 51, of Tower Hamlets, east London, called on the church to issue an apology to boys at the home who were allegedly abused. |
Bedfordshire Police said: "We have received a complaint concerning St Francis Boys Home and are in the early stages of an investigation." | Bedfordshire Police said: "We have received a complaint concerning St Francis Boys Home and are in the early stages of an investigation." |
A spokesman for the Northamptonshire Diocese of the Catholic Church, which ran the home, said it "deeply regrets" any hurt caused, but stressed the "claims are not proven". | A spokesman for the Northamptonshire Diocese of the Catholic Church, which ran the home, said it "deeply regrets" any hurt caused, but stressed the "claims are not proven". |
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