Former children`s home head charged with sex offences

The former head of a network of children’s homes has
appeared in court in north Wales charged with allegedly sexually
abusing young people in his care.

John Allen, 60, formerly of Wrexham and now living in
Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, was head of the Bryn Alyn community, a
limited company that ran 11 residential homes in north east Wales,
Cheshire and Shropshire, providing specialist care for
adolescents.

Allen faced 36 charges of a serious sexual nature, including
gross indecency and indecent assault, when he appeared before
magistrates in Flintshire.

Twenty of the offences relate to an alleged illegal sex act, two
of attempting to commit the act and 14 of indecent assault.

Twelve people who were once in care made the allegations, and
the alleged offences were said to have taken place over a 19-year
period from 1968 to 1987.

Allen’s appearance in court follows a two-year
investigation by a team of detectives based in north Wales. He is
due to appear at Mold crown court on June 7.