This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/john-allen-trial-childrens-home-boss-found-guilty-of-26-counts-of-sexual-abuse-9884797.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
John Allen trial: Children's home boss found guilty of 26 counts of sexual abuse John Allen trial: Children's home boss found guilty of 26 counts of sexual abuse
(about 2 hours later)
A former millionaire who abused vulnerable children in his network of community care homes was found guilty today of 26 counts of sexual abuse. A former millionaire who abused vulnerable children in his network of community care homes was found guilty today of 26 counts of child sex offences.
John Allen operated a reign of terror that spanned four decades and is the first person to be convicted under Operation Pallial, the National Crime Agency-led investigation into recent allegations of abuse in the care system in North Wales. John Allen, 73, created a “culture of fear” over so many years that his victims became “hardened to the abuse”, a court has heard.
Allen, 73, operated the Bryn Alyn Community children’s homes in and around Wrexham between 1968 and 1991. Twenty former residents – 19 boys and a girl aged between seven and 15 at the time – gave evidence in court. Allen, who also managed aspiring pop bands, had denied 40 charges of sexual abuse against 19 boys and a girl – aged between seven and 15 at the time – while he ran Bryn Alyn Community children’s homes in and around Wrexham between 1968 and 1991.
The jury at Mold Crown Court returned to court this afternoon almost exactly a week since they retired to give 26 guilty verdicts and two not guilty verdicts. Allen was convicted of 21 charges of indecent assault, one charge of indecency with a child, two counts of an illegal sex act and two charges of attempting the illegal act. He was cleared of two charges of an illegal sex act. After almost a week of deliberations, the jury at Mold Crown Court returned this afternoon to find the former hotelier and pop band manager guilty on 26 counts and not guilty on two counts.
The jury will return tomorrow morning to continue their deliberations on 12 remaining charges. Allen, from Needham Market, near Ipswich, was convicted of 21 charges of indecent assault, one charge of indecency with a child, two counts of an illegal sex act and two charges of attempting the illegal act. He was cleared of two charges of an illegal sex act.
The judge Mr Justice Openshaw adjourned the case until tomorrow morning, when the jury will return to continue their deliberations on the 12 remaining charges.
Opening the case, prosecutor Eleanor Laws QC, said Allen created “a sexualised atmosphere alongside a culture of fear”. She said Allen employed staff to look after the children but involved himself in night duties and was “a regular and formidable presence” at several of the homes. Ms Laws said boys at the homes described Allen as being abusive and at times violent and would often be under the influence of drink.
She told the court most of the victims felt they had no choice but to put up with Allen’s attentions as they became “hardened to the abuse”.
The jury had been told  that Allen was convicted in 1996 of indecently assaulting six boys, aged between 12 and 16, at his care homes in the 1970s. Allen said he had no sexual interest in young boys and thought the complainants were after compensation in the wake of the publicity of his previous convictions. He told the court he had been a victim of a miscarriage of justice.