MICHAEL TAYLOR AND RICHARD LEAKE: HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE SCANDALS IN GISBURNE HOUSE, BERSHAM HALL, AND ISLINGTON

In a series of disturbing revelations from the late 20th century, two men have been linked to heinous acts of child abuse at various residential care facilities across the UK, including locations such as Bersham Hall in Wrexham, Gisburne House in Islington, and Ystrad Hall in Llangollen.

Richard Leake, aged 58, was convicted in November 1999 of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of boys under his supervision during the 1970s. His misconduct took place while he was employed as a supervisor at Bersham Children’s Home in Wrexham and later as the principal at Ystrad Hall in Llangollen. During a ten-day trial at Mold Crown Court, Leake vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that his victims were fabricating their stories in pursuit of financial compensation. However, following his conviction on 14 counts of indecent assault, Leake eventually confessed to the crimes while incarcerated at Altcourse Prison.

Judge Roger Dutton, presiding over the case, expressed disappointment that Leake had not been honest from the outset, stating, “It is a pity he was not man enough to own up in the first place.” Several of Leake’s victims, now men in their 30s, were visibly distressed and broke down during their testimonies. The court heard that Leake’s abuse occurred while he was working as a supervisor at Bersham Hall in Wrexham and later as the principal at Ystrad Hall in Llangollen. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was also required to pay £36,000 in court costs.

In a separate but equally disturbing case, Michael Taylor, a social worker, was sentenced in July 2000 to four years in prison after admitting to abusing two boys at Gisburne House, a children’s home operated by Islington Council, during the 1970s. Taylor, who pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault, had previously been convicted of two similar offenses in 1980. His crimes came to light after the victims, now adults, reported the abuse to the police. Following his conviction, Taylor’s name will be added to the sex offenders’ register.

Prior to his tenure at Gisburne House, Taylor served as deputy superintendent at Bersham Hall children’s home in North Wales, where he continued his pattern of abuse by assaulting two 11-year-old boys in his care. His criminal history and subsequent arrest highlight the ongoing issues of safeguarding and accountability within the child care system during that era, raising questions about the oversight and protection of vulnerable children in institutional settings.