Prison officer abused boys

A PRISON officer subjected boys in a former juvenile detention centre near Thornbury to a “litany of cruel and violent acts”.

Patrick Devaney repeatedly assaulted boys aged between 14 and 17 who were in his care at Eastwood Park, where he worked from 1970 until 1983.

The 81-year-old defendant, of County Down in Northern Ireland, was found guilty of misconduct in a public office in March after a fourweek trial at Bristol Crown Court.

He was released on bail following the verdict and was due to be sentenced at a hearing on April 14.

Avon & Somerset Police said that in total, 22 former detainees gave evidence of the abuse they suffered at the hands of Devaney, who was based in the detention centre’s gym.

The jury was told boys were repeatedly punched and often forced to perform extreme exercise, and were punished when they stopped due to exhaustion.

A police spokesperson said: "Fighting between detainees was encouraged and during one gym activity, Devaney would set groups up against each other – pitting older boys against younger ones.

"If he felt the boys had not exerted themselves enough or if they hadn’t followed his instructions, which at times were to assault other boys, he would beat them.

"He would also conduct fingernail and hand inspections and if he found nails that were dirty or bitten, he would strike the boy’s hands."

Devaney also used racist language towards some detainees at the centre, which has since closed. A women's prison now operates on the site.

After the verdict senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Alan Smith said: “Patrick Devaney exploited his position to physically assault those who he was meant to keep safe.

“He worked for the prison service at a time when there was a government policy of giving young offenders a ‘short, sharp shock’ by way of punishment.

“The force he used, however, went way beyond what was appropriate and acceptable, with many of his victims describing him as sadistic and someone who enjoyed inflicting pain on them.

“He admitted to giving the boys a clip around the ears and raps on the knuckles but vehemently denied abusing them in the way he did.

“Every one of his victims has been affected by his actions, with some suffering significant trauma which they have lived with for more than 50 years.

“I’d like to praise the courage they have all shown in reporting what happened to them and giving testimony in front of him at court.

“I hope this outcome gives other victims of abuse the confidence to come forward. Even if offences have been committed years ago, we can and will investigate them thoroughly.”

Caravan wrecked

POLICE are trying to trace an arsonist who destroyed a caravan in Alveston.

The fire was started at around 2.20am on February 27 in Quarry Road, near Marlwood School.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "The caravan was burned out in the incident, and we believe it was started deliberately.

"No one was harmed in the incident."

Police have asked anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and witnessed any suspicious behaviour, or has dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage they think could be relevant, to call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5223 047 068.

A NEW railway station for Charfield has been given the green signal.

Planning permission has been granted for the station, to be built on land off Station Road in the centre of the village.

It will include two platforms serving north and southbound journeys, a pedestrian footbridge, a bus stop, covered cycle parking, and car parking.

Building work is expected to soon begin on the £22 million project and is expected to take between 12 and 18 months, with the station expected to open at the end of next year.

Trains are planned to run at least every hour to Bristol Parkway, taking 18 minutes, Bristol Temple Meads (32 minutes) and Gloucester (22 minutes), running from about 6.30am until 11.30pm.

South Gloucestershire Council - which gave the scheme planning permission - has been working with Network Rail and Great Western Railway on the project.

Council cabinet member for transport Steve Reade said it was a "strategically significant