Hopes of freedom (From Penarth Times)

Hopes of freedom

A DINAS Powys man, jailed for 12 years for physical and sexual abuse on young boys, hopes to free soon . Derek Brushett of Stacy Road, who has always maintained his innocence, is hopeful that the release of two prisoners convicted of similar charges could pave the way for his case to be reviewed.

The father-of four was convicted in November 1999 of 27 charges relating to his time as headmaster of Bryn Y Don special school in the 1970's.

But the release on appeal of Basil Williams-Rigby and Michael Lawson has given him, and those campaigning for his release, fresh hope.

The two were jailed for 19 years for abuse of children after being arrested by Merseyside police.

They were freed on Friday after their lawyers argued they were convicted on uncorroborated evidence of complainants, some of which may have been motivated by possible compensation payouts

Now, the Friends of Derek Brushett Campaign believes that the similarities between this case and Operation Goldfinch, the operation by South Wales Police aimed at targeting abuse in children's homes, should at least lead to a review.

Campaign member Gail Saunders, who is fighting for Brushett's release, said: "We are delighted at this development because it means that police 'trawling' has been proved flawed.

"Multiple allegations of abuse can be gathered from former residents, all of which can be false."

South Wales Police declined to comment. Operation Goldfinch campaign was launched in April 1997.

It was an investigation into alleged physical and sexual abuse of children in childcare establishments in the south Wales area.

By September 2000, it had gathered 1,613 allegations against 581 suspects - 345 of them accused of sexual assault on children in their care.

The inquiry covers approximately 81 residential homes throughout the area.

Derek Brushett was one of the first men to face court.

After a seven-week trial and six days of deliberation the jury found him guilty of 27 out of more than 40 charges of abusing boys.

Sentencing him to 14 years in prison, Judge Peter Jacobs said: "Your behaviour towards them was cruel."

An appeal was immediately launched and in December 2000, Brushett saw his sentence cut to 12 years and three months by the Court of Appeal.

The appeal against conviction was thrown out.

But campaigners still maintain that Derek Brushett is innocent and should be released on appeal immediately.

Mrs Saunders added: "We won't stop fighting.

We'll find a way of acquitting not only Derek, but all men wrongly accused.

I think this is going to be the biggest scandal ever to hit our judicial system."