Social worker accused of rape by former child in care

A social worker repeatedly raped a boy who was in his care at a children’s home in the mid-1990s, a jury has heard.

The man is accused of raping and sexually assaulting the boy, who was aged between 12 and 14, while employed as a key worker for vulnerable children several years ago, the Northampton Chronicle reports. He has denied the charges.

David Ryan, prosecuting, said: “The circumstances are the complainant was a resident at this certain establishment, which was a children’s home which provided education for adolescents.

“The defendant was a social worker within that establishment and as such, the prosecution says, he was in a position of trust and abused that position in his sexual abuse of this young boy.”

The boy, now in his late-20s, first revealed the sexual abuse to a prison officer in March last year, the court heard.

The defendant has been suspended from his current role as a council social worker.

The trial continues.

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