Social workers left gay foster couple free to abuse boys because they feared being branded homophobic

Social workers left gay foster couple free to abuse boys because they feared being branded homophobic

A homosexual foster couple were left free to sexually abuse vulnerable boys in their care because Wakefield Council social workers feared being accused of discrimination if they investigated complaints, an inquiry concluded yesterday.

The report into the abuse of four boys by Craig Faunch and Ian Wathey, who were jailed last year, concluded that indicators of abuse were inadequately investigated, understood or acted upon.

Source:- Daily Mail Thursday 6 September 2007 page 21

Teenage drinkers face a lifetime of trouble

Binge and heavy drinking when young is associated with higher rates of alcoholism, criminal convictions, illegal drug use, low qualificaitons and mental health problems in later life, a study by the Institute of Child Health in London has found.

Source:- Daily Mail Thursday 6 September 2007 page 21

Whose baby is it anyway?

A woman is facing a judicial review next week into Northumberland Council’s decision that it will remove her yet unborn baby at birth because she has a history of mental illness and self-harm.

Fran Lyon, now 22, was diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder some years ago, but her psychiatrist has said that she has made a significant recovery and would not be a risk to anyone.

Source:- Daily Mail Thursday 6 September 2007 page 42-49

Disabled sailor in 1,400-mile trip

A paralysed sailor became the first disabled person to sail around Britain single-handed yesterday. Geoff Holt, 41, from Shedfield, Hampshire, finished his 1,400-mile journey in 109 days.

Source:- The Independent, Thursday 6 September 2007, page 12