January 2013

Care-home worker jailed

A residential worker trapped by a major investigation into sexual abuse in care homes throughout Greater Manchester, has been jailed for 18 months. 

The inquiry, codenamed Operation Cleopatra, revealed that Anthony Andrews had indecently assaulted a 14-year-old boy who was taken into care because of violence at home. 

Judge Michael Henshell told Andrews, 57, at Manchester Crown Court: “He was placed in your trust and you abused that trust. 

“These were clearly serious offences committed in a clear breach of the trust placed in you by your employers and they grossly violated the trust and affection you encouraged in that boy”. 

Andrews, of Back Chapel Street, Wardle, near Rochdale, had been convicted of twice indecently assaulting the boy while working at the town’s Foxholes Children’s Home in the 1980’s. 

Maurice Green, prosecuting, said the offences occurred after the victim was taken into care and Andrews behaved “like his best friend” and started taking him on trips out.

Andrews, said counsel, told the boy to “keep things a secret” and the victim believed the defendant was “looking after him”. 

Eventually, Andrews was caught when Greater Manchester Police launched Operation Cleopatra to try to discover the extent of sexual abuse by staff on children who had been in care homes. 

He was quizzed about the allegations and throughout the case maintained he was innocent. 

After Andrews was convicted Mr Green offered no evidence on allegations that Andrews had also sexually abused two other children when they were in care.