UK Barnardo's man pleads guilty to abuse

A former 'house parent' at a Barnardo's home in North Yorkshire has pleaded guilty to sex offences against 17 children, some of which date back more than 30 years.

Phillip Dunn, who worked at the Springhill Home in Ripon, appeared at York Crown Court after police mounted a two-year investigation.

Dunn, a married father of four, pleaded guilty to 19 charges ranging from indecent assault and cruelty to serious sexual assault.

The offences all took place in the late 60s and early 70s. Eight charges were left on file.

The judge adjourned sentencing for 11 days so some of Dunn's victims could attend court.

One of Dunn's victims, Sebastian Carss, said he wrote to Barnardo's to warn them.

He told the BBC: "Day after day, in fear, I lived by fear. This haunts me today. I wake up sweating because I think he still comes in that room in the darkness and picks what he wants, just for meat."

Detective Inspector Phil Metcalfe, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "Things are changing all the time - people are more aware. Hopefully this will never happen again."