WIREDGOV

A man convicted of an offence of child cruelty at a North Wales care home following an investigation by the National Crime Agency, Operation Pallial, has been sentenced to eights months in prison, suspended for a year.

A jury at Mold Crown Court, sitting at Chester, found Keith Evans guilty of child cruelty against a boy aged 13 or 14, following a four-week trial in February.

Evans was also ordered to pay a £500 fine and £500 compensation to his victim.

The jury heard how Evans, aged 71, from the Rhosrobin area of Wrexham, forced a boy in care at Bryn Alyn Hall, part of a group of privately owned care homes in Wrexham, North Wales, to strip down to a netball sash, shorts and plimsolls before assaulting him. 

Over the course of three days he forced the child to complete menial tasks such as prolonged periods of scrubbing floors and rooms, causing blisters to his feet. He forced his victim to go without food on one day and to sleep in a box room without a bed.

Keith Evans was arrested by officers working on Operation Pallial, an independent NCA investigation into past abuse in the care system in North Wales requested by Mark Polin, Chief Constable of North Wales.

Ian Mulcahey, NCA Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Pallial again paid tribute to all victims and witnesses who came forward with information and to support the latest trial. 

“A total of seven men have now been convicted and sentenced for one or more offences following investigations by Operation Pallial, including care home owner John Allen who was sentenced to life in prison and five members of a predatory paedophile group who received a total of 43 years in jail. The investigation is continuing,” said Mr Mulcahey.

Operation Pallial has now been contacted by a total of 334 people who have had the trust and confidence to come forward. There remains a total of 102 complaints under active investigation at this time. The NCA have arrested, or interviewed under caution, 51 men and women and, so far, 16 of these have been charged. In Pallial trials, juries have convicted seven people (including Evans) and acquitted eight.

Two more trials are set for 2016 with further trials expected to follow. The Crown Prosecution Service is currently considering files of evidence in relation to 25 further suspects.

John Allen, was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2014 and five men were sentenced to a total of 43 years in prison in September this year, after being found guilty of 34 offences. Pallial continues to work closely with partners to ensures victims and witnesses are provided with the advice and support they require. A total of 32 suspects are believed to be dead and we have updated more victims in relation to the investigation of allegations against 25 deceased suspects so far.