Charges for Abuse at Rhydd Court School
Eight people; five men and three women, have been charged for physical and sexual abuse offences of children at Rhydd Court School, Hanley Castle, Worcestershire. The defendants are now aged between 50 and 82 years old.
The school was then run by Worcestershire County Council. It was a weekday boarding school, and it helped vulnerable children who had been assessed as having moderate learning difficulties.
The incidents of abuse took place between late 1970s to early 1990s.
The defendants will appear at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 4 August 2022.
Those charged are:
- Cynthia Moore, 81, of Diddies, Bude, who is charged with child cruelty, conspiracy to commit a serious sexual offence, conspiracy to commit indecent assault, and conspiracy to commit child cruelty.
- John Dixon, 82, of Burgh Le Marsh, Skegness, who is charged with four counts of a serious sexual offence, two counts of conspiracy to commit the same serious sexual offence, six counts of indecent assault, and two counts of conspiracy to commit child cruelty.
- Michael Connor, 69, of Crofton, Wakefield, who is charged with indecent assault, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three counts of conspiracy to commit a serious sexual offence, three counts of conspiracy to commit indecent assault, and conspiracy to commit child cruelty.
- Terence Heath, 74, of Hanley Castle, Worcester, who is charged with conspiracy to commit child cruelty, two counts of indecent assault, and two counts of conspiracy to commit a serious sexual offence.
- Anita Gunning, 59, of Plymouth, who is charged with conspiracy to commit indecent assault, conspiracy to commit child cruelty, and two counts of indecent assault.
- David Sykes, 75, of Rotherham, who is charged with grievous bodily harm without intent, indecent assault, and conspiracy to commit child cruelty.
- Charmaine James, 61, of Rathven, Buckie, who is charged with gross indecency, conspiracy to commit child cruelty, and two counts of indecent assault.
