Carer denies sex attacks

Sep 5 2008 By Ross McCarthy

A RESIDENTIAL social worker at a children’s home in Birmingham allegedly carried out a campaign of sexual abuse against boys living there for 13 years, a court was told.

During that period Gilbert Lewis, who was considered by many as a father figure, sexually assaulted boys in their dormitories as well as plying one with drink and cigarettes in return for sexual favours, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Lewis, 55, of Wentworth Court, Kingsbury, Erdington, has denied 11 charges of indecently assaulting a male as well as three other serious sexual offences.

Timothy Mousley QC, prosecuting, said the care home was St John’s in Gravelly Hill North, Erdington where Lewis had been appointed to the position of residential social worker in 1976.

“Over a period of about 13 years, between 1982 and 1995, Lewis sexually abused and sexually assaulted adolescent boys aged between 11 and 16. There were eight boys in total repeatedly abused by him”, he said.

Mr Mousley said one of the victims, now aged 32, was placed by the local authority at St John’s in 1991 and the defendant, who had a flat at the home, appeared to take a genuine interest in the details of his difficult past.

However, there was an incident when they were out together in a minibus when Lewis indecently touched the victim after they stopped at traffic lights, he said.

Mr Mousley said a more serious assault took place later after Lewis invited the boy to his flat for a drink.

Lewis picked up another victim in the minibus from the boy’s home before driving to an industrial area in Erdington.

After abusing him there, Lewis told the boy that what had happened was a “secret” and if anybody found out he would be sent to the secure unit at the home, it was alleged.

Mr Mousley said on another occasion Lewis sexually assaulted the same boy after giving him a drink of gin as well as cigarettes.

Another of the alleged victims, who was 14 when he was sent to St John’s, looked up to Lewis as something of a father figure and trusted him.

He said he had a drug problem and knew he could persuade Lewis to give him money in order to buy drugs.

“It was a favour for a favour and he began to realise he could play on Lewis’ feelings for him,” said Mr Mousley.

As a result, he said, the boy allowed himself to be abused by Lewis who also took indecent photos of him.

(Proceeding)