From Brother A Reginald Hibbins SIR — I am writing, as the head of St William's School, Market Weighton, from March 1966 to September 1976, to comment on your report of August 11.
Sadly, I have to admit that a few of the young people in our care were badly treated. What has not been said is that only one of my devoted staff was involved. One was accused of common assault but was acquitted, and the judge said that the case should never have been brought. Another was charged with indecent assault and was acquitted by the jury on all counts . Another was accused but never taken to court despite all his efforts to be tried; he has collected a mass of evidence from past pupils supporting our work at St William's. Another was found not guilty of indecent assault. I was questioned but was told there was no case to answer.
Humberside Police is currently under investigation for the conduct of this probe by another police force.
I am proud of the contribution that so many of my staff made over the years to help the most deprived young people. Never was any complaint made to me or to the hundred or so social workers who regularly attended case conferences, to which the boy and his parents were invited and often attended. The Home Office, and later Social Services, often inspected the school and never found cause for complaint. All visitors were welcomed. Sonic came to study our methods.
I am not prepared to apologise for all this effort. None of us had any idea of James Carragher's criminal activities, and I saw much to admire in his work, but I wish to stress that many young people benefited greatly by the good work of devoted staff over many years, Yours faithfully, A REGINALD HIB BINS Kintbury, Berks