Police slammed over paedophile probe at Catholic children's home

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said: "There appears to have been an assumption of guilt" by investigators on Operation Aldgate - Humberside Police's inquiry into alleged physical and sexual abuse at St William's children's home, Market Weighton, East Yorkshire between 1965 and 1992.

Operation Aldgate began in 2001 and followed the jailing in 1993 of the home's former principal, Brother James Carragher, for abusing youngsters and the conviction of chaplain Antony McCallen.

The home was run by the run by the Catholic De La Salle teaching order to provide residential care and education for emotionally and behaviourally disturbed boys aged from 11 to 18.

The IPCC inquiry began in 2005 after some of those who were the subject of the police investigation complained.

Today, the commission said that of 120 complaints, made by nine different people, 25 had been substantiated, six partly substantiated and 80 unsubstantiated.

Among its findings, the IPCC criticised:

"A lack of resources and funding to ensure a robust investigation was undertaken" leading to officers undertaking several roles and a lack of supervision.

An inconsistent approach on the arrest of individuals, with no rationale as to why some named suspects were not investigated.

A failure to pursue reasonable lines of inquiry which would have helped prove or disprove witness and suspect accounts.

A failure to seek corroboration of allegations.

A failure to adhere to national guidelines in respect of allegations of historic sexual abuse.

The commission said it has recommended that two officers receive formal words of advice.

IPCC Commissioner for Yorkshire and Humberside Nicholas Long said: "This was a very difficult investigation dealing with highly sensitive matters.

"The investigation has found the majority of the complaints to be unproven, but it is clear there were failings in the investigation. Some of these appear to have been due to the failure to pursue lines of inquiry, compounded by lack of staff and resources.

"The basis of any investigation must be about the thorough examination of all available evidence to reach a conclusion. In this instance, whether it was on the basis of the prior convictions of Carragher and McCallen, there appears to have been an assumption of guilt. In such circumstances it is understandable that those subject to the investigation will feel hounded and under unwarranted pressure, particularly if they are innocent.

Mr Long said: "Despite the passage of time, I am sure lessons will be learned in relation to this matter. Recommendations arising from this investigation seek to amend national guidance and local procedures over the handling of investigations into allegations of historic sexual and physical abuse.

"There are no winners in this matter. Lives have been ruined - either due to the abuse that has been proven to have taken place or due to innocent people being the subject of an intense investigation. I appreciate the conclusion of this investigation may bring back difficult memories, and may not provide all the outcomes sought, but I do hope it does give some clearer understanding of what happened."

The IPCC investigation has taken four years. The commission published a brief summary of its main findings today but the executive summary of the full report has still not been published.

A long-running legal battle for compensation by scores of former residents of the home is continuing.

Carragher was jailed for seven years in 1993 and served five. In 2004, he was jailed again, this time for 14 years.