JOHN DALE AND TRACY EVANS FROM BIDDULPH AND DRESDEN ABUSE VULNERABLE CHILDREN ON SCHOOL TRANSPORT IN STAFFORDSHIRE

In December 2022, shocking allegations emerged involving staff members from a local taxi firm who were entrusted with transporting vulnerable children to and from school in the Staffordshire area, specifically around Biddulph and Dresden. These staff members, instead of providing a safe and caring environment, subjected the children to physical abuse, mockery, and emotional neglect during their daily journeys.

Details of the misconduct revealed that the children, many of whom had special needs and limited communication abilities, endured a series of distressing acts at the hands of the staff. The driver of the minibus, identified as 59-year-old John Dale from Biddulph, was accused of mimicking and mocking the way two non-verbal children communicated, causing further trauma to the young victims. Witnesses reported that Dale also physically assaulted a child by slapping them and, on one occasion, was seen sitting on a child, an act that caused significant concern among those aware of the incident.

Alongside Dale, Tracy Evans, aged 55 and from Dresden, was also implicated in the abuse. Court proceedings heard that Evans made disparaging remarks about children in wheelchairs, expressing her dislike for them. She was also heard threatening a crying child, saying, “if you pull my hair I will pull yours back,” a statement that highlighted her aggressive attitude towards the children in her care. The abuse was brought to light when another child, witnessing the mistreatment, reported the incidents to authorities.

The court was informed that both Dale and Evans had received some training in caring for vulnerable individuals, yet their actions starkly contradicted the standards expected of professionals in such roles. The children involved were unable to articulate what had happened to them, which made the role of witnesses and observers crucial in uncovering the truth. A student who witnessed Evans sitting on another child in 2019 was the catalyst for the investigation, prompting parents and police to intervene.

Prosecutor Deborah Gould explained that the children’s conditions, which included challenging behaviors, made patience and proper support essential. She emphasized that the children’s inability to communicate their suffering made the abuse even more egregious. The court heard that one child, upset after witnessing the behavior, was reluctant to return to the bus but was eventually persuaded to do so. Further testimonies revealed that Evans was heard expressing her dislike for people in wheelchairs, and a student overheard her saying, “That’s what you get for pulling hair,” after a child was crying. Both defendants laughed at the situation, dismissing the children’s distress as “having a moment.”

John Dale, described as an ex-serviceman with 15 years of experience working for the taxi firm, was also accused of physically abusing a child by slapping them. Witnesses reported that Dale mimicked the children’s noises and told them to be quiet, further demonstrating his lack of professionalism and compassion. On one occasion, when a child removed their shoes, Evans reportedly threw them back at her and said, “That’s what you get,” indicating a dismissive and abusive attitude. The court was told that Evans, who now works at a fish and chip shop, had been employed at Z Carz for ten years, while Dale’s background included military service and extensive experience in transportation.

Both Dale and Evans pleaded guilty to charges of ill-treatment or neglect of individuals lacking capacity, covering incidents from 2018 and 2019. Despite the severity of their actions, they were spared immediate imprisonment, receiving nine-month prison sentences that were suspended for 18 months. Additionally, they were ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service. Dale was also mandated to undertake 30 days of rehabilitation activities. The judge, Judge David Fletcher, described the offences as “extremely distressing and concerning,” emphasizing the importance of safeguarding society’s most vulnerable members.

Judge Fletcher highlighted the emotional impact on the victims’ families and the importance of maintaining high standards of care for vulnerable children. He stated, “For people who have relatives, particularly children, who have serious vulnerabilities, it’s extremely distressing and concerning. The victims were incapable of expressing what had happened to them when they were in your care. It was only because of two people who were more able to communicate that these matters came to light.” The judge also noted that not all children in their care were fearful, but the actions of Dale and Evans betrayed the trust placed in them by parents and the community. The case underscores the critical need for vigilance and accountability in the care of society’s most vulnerable individuals.