Report in Rochdale Abuse Case Imminent

BARRISTER Andrew Warnock, who is delving into the the claims of sexual abuse in the 1980s and 1990s at the Knowl View special school in Bamford, a posh suburb of Rochdale, is expected  publish his report into the case next month.  At that time in the 1980s and 90s, about a dozen boys, some as young as eight, are reported to have been victims of wicked sexual abuse. 

This last week, the Rochdale local authority bosses said they expected Mr. Warnock's results will be out in May.  Council leader Colin Lambert said:  'I have said that we will leave no stone unturned to uncover the truth.'  Hence he added:  'It is important for any member of the council, council officer or staff who worked at the school to speak with us if they know anything.'

This will not be easy because anyone who comes forward now, will face the inevitable question as to why they did not come forward before. 

In 2012, an ex-pupil at the school Chris Marshall had said that the now disgraced former Rochdale MP Cyril Smith, then chairman of Knowl View, had abused him at the school.  

Mr Warnock from London is, we are told, a specialist in child abuse and public sector claims, but other legal sources have told Northern Voices that he is usually engaged in the role of a defence counsel.  This report is separate from the Greater Manchester Police investigation into Knowl View, and the general 'super-inquiry' by Anne Coffey MP into sexual abuse across the region.