Two Arrested over Care Home Abuse Allegations

By Jonathan Werran
Localgov
February 7, 2013

http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=108739

Police have made two arrests in connection with historic allegations of a paedophile ring operating from a former care home run by Richmond-upon-Thames LBC.

Detectives working on Operation Fernbridge - an inquiry centring on events at the Elm Guest House in Barnes, South West London dating from the 1970s and 1980s - made the arrests yesterday.

One of those arrested is believed to be John Stingemore, a 70-year old from St Leonards-on-sea who used to help manage Grafton Close, another Richmond care home. The other arrest was that of 66-year-old priest, Father Tony McSweeney, from Norfolk.

The Metropolitan Police is investigating allegations, first raised by Tom Watson MP and corroborated by investigative website Exaro, that young boys were abused at parties involving establishment figures - including senior politicians, policemen and celebrities.

Commander Peter Spindler, the head of the MPS Specialist Crime Investigations, said: ‘This is a complex multi-agency investigation supported by the NSPCC, CEOP and Richmond social services involving non recent allegations of sexual assault against children.’

A council spokeswoman said: ‘Richmond Council considers the safeguarding of all children and young people as an utmost priority and we take any allegations of abuse very seriously.

‘As such we are offering our full support and cooperation to the police during their investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.’