Police won’t prosecute over abuse claims at Doncaster care home

A second police investigation into the allegations of physical assault at the Solar Centre in Balby was launched in October last year.

One blind woman in her twenties, suffering from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, was said to have been punched in the face on two occasions for making noises and had a series of epileptic attacks.

However the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided there is insufficient evidence to bring any prosecutions, South Yorkshire Police said.

The first investigation in 2007 also concluded after the CPS decided there was not enough evidence.

Police reopened the investigation last year after an inquiry by the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH).

Officers were dedicated to reviewing original evidence and taking further statements of the assaults on patients at the centre and submitted files to the CPS in January this year.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Shaw, leading the investigation for South Yorkshire Police, said: “The findings from the RDaSH report last year enabled us to further consider some of the cases and look into new legislation and a decision was made to reopen the initial investigation.

“A team of officers were solely dedicated to this investigation, to collate as much information and evidence as possible to present to the CPS, to hopefully lead to a prosecution.

“I can understand how disappointing and frustrating the decision not to prosecute will be for the victims and family members who have been involved.

“South Yorkshire Police have thoroughly completed both investigations into the allegations and we have utilised all the information, legislation and powers we have available to build a strong case.

“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there is still insufficient evidence to meet the requirements to progress to a prosecution.”

The RDaSH said systems at the centre had been reviewed and changed since the investigation into the claims and legal proceedings were still ongoing in some cases.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: “A number of clients and former clients of the Solar Centre have brought claims against the Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, alleging that some time ago they were the subject of acts of abuse carried out by a small number of carers who worked at the centre.

“Events at the centre have been the subject of a detailed inquiry carried out by the trust, following which systems have been reviewed and changed.

“Two of the claims have concluded. There are three other cases which are currently in progress. Information regarding those cases is confidential to the claimants and so the trust is unable to comment on them at this time.”