Witness appeal – Robert Moore and John Kane’s Children’s Home, Cardiff
Bolt Burdon Kemp is appealing for witnesses and information relating to convicted abuser Robert Moore and John Kane’s Children’s Home in Cardiff, where our client experienced sexual abuse in 1996.
Robert Moore, who worked as a lorry driver, was jailed for seven years in Cardiff in 1996 for abducting children from John Kane’s Children’s Home and abusing them. At the time, Peter Murphy, prosecuting, said of Moore’s crimes: “He preyed on young girls, actively encouraging them to abscond from care and indulge in sexual intercourse. He acted as a 24-hour call-out service. He handed out printed cards with his name on.”
Moore pleaded guilty to five offences of abduction, five of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16, four of procuring a girl to have unlawful sexual intercourse and one of attempting to commit the same offence.
The crimes against six girls, including four children who were in local authority care at John Kane’s Children’s Home and a fifth who was with foster parents, took place between January 1 and July 28, 1996.
An ITV investigation by Roger Cook at this time exposed the sexual exploitation and abuse of vulnerable children across children’s homes in Cardiff, and Cardiff Council faced serious criticism. While the council acknowledged significant failings, it maintained that the programme revealed nothing new and said action was already underway. Looking back 30 years later, the most striking aspect is not just the severity of the issues uncovered, but the all-too familiar pattern of authorities recognising longstanding problems, promising improvements, and insisting action is being taken, raising uncomfortable questions about how much has really changed in the protection of vulnerable children.
Our appeal comes as we argue that the events in Cardiff should form part of the Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, which is examining child sexual abuse and exploitation and the failures of institutions responsible for protecting children across England and Wales.
It’s stark that lessons have not been learned – sadly, children in care continue to be targeted – either by individual abusers or those operating in grooming gangs. Baroness Casey’s National Audit found that perpetrators frequently single out children in care and from troubled backgrounds, exploiting their vulnerability and the absence of strong family support networks.
We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was at the home in or around 1996 and remembers Moore, as they may be able to assist with our investigations and help us build a fuller picture of what happened at John Kane’s Children’s Home and in Cardiff during this time.
Our client is seeking answers and accountability for what they experienced. We also believe it is important that the experiences of those affected by abuse in Cardiff are heard and properly considered as the Grooming Gangs Inquiry develops its work.
We understand that coming forward about events that happened many years ago can be extremely difficult. You can speak to us in complete confidence, and getting in touch does not commit you to taking any further action.
If you have any information that may assist, however insignificant you may think it is, please contact the office on 0207 288 4802 or email alancollins@bbkllp.co.uk.
Bolt Burdon Kemp LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (No. 816764). Registered office: 26 Newbury Street, London EC1A 7HU.
