Operation Pallial: Care Home Owner Sentenced To Life Imprisonment

The owner and manager of 11 former children’s homes in North Wales was today sentenced to life imprisonment following an investigation by the National Crime Agency.

A jury at Mold Crown Court found John Allen, 73, of Needham Market, Suffolk, guilty of 33 serious sexual offences against 19 victims. Judge Peter Oakenshaw sentenced Allen today, today and told him that he must serve a minimum of 11 years before even being considered for parole.

Commenting after the trial, Ian Mulcahey, the NCA’s Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Pallial said: “John Allen abused vulnerable children he was entrusted to protect. He had complete power and trust over those in his charge and he completely abused that trust. He was a violent man and he tried to control and manipulate his victims, often purchasing expensive gifts as a means of exerting this control.”

Ed Beltrami, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Cymru-Wales, said: “John Allen is responsible for a shameful catalogue of abuse, carried out over a period of decades and impacting on a large number of victims.

“He targeted vulnerable young people in the most callous and calculating manner. He used intimidation and violence as weapons and took advantage of his position of power and influence.

“Thanks to the bravery and persistence of a large number of his victims, he has been made to face up to what he did in a criminal court.”

Allen was convicted after a six week trial. The case follows an independent investigation by the NCA into recent allegations of historical abuse in the care system in North Wales, which was requested by the Chief Constable of North Wales Police.

Operation Pallial is ongoing, currently investigating allegations by 236 people.

To date a total of 35 people have been arrested or interviewed under caution and, from that figure, 12 people are already due to stand trial in 2015.

Commenting on the NCA investigation, Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, said: “When allegations of historical sexual abuse in the north Wales care system made headline news in 2012, I was insistent that those victims must be listened to, supported and dealt with sensitively. For too long, these victims were silenced.

“Two years on, I am reassured that victims have been heard and that instances of historical abuse are finally being thoroughly investigated by Operation Pallial.”

Statistics – Operation Pallial

• To date a total of 35 people have been arrested or interviewed under caution and, from that figure, 12 people are already due to stand trial in 2015.
• A total of 13 people (including Allen) have been charged. The remaining 22 are on bail while investigations continue.
• A total of 287 people have reported one or more account of abuse to Operation Pallial.
• Information provided by 236 people is under active investigation and has resulted in 120 people being identified as potential suspects, some of who have died.

Work to identify further potential suspects and to update all victims is continuing.