HORNSCHURCH SOCIAL WORKER PHILIP ROE SENTENCED FOR ABUSING BOYS IN GREATER MANCHESTER

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Philip Roe, a 59-year-old social worker from Hornchurch, Essex, has been sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young boys under his care. The Manchester Crown Court heard harrowing details of Roe's systematic and serious misconduct, which spanned over several years and involved multiple victims.

Roe's criminal activities came to light during Operation Cleopatra, a large-scale investigation conducted by Greater Manchester Police into the sexual exploitation of children in care. The investigation uncovered that Roe had committed at least 15 separate offences, all linked to his role as a social worker. His victims ranged in age from as young as five to 16 years old, and the abuse took place in various settings, including his car and the homes of the children he was supposed to protect.

Among the disturbing allegations was Roe's use of his position to exploit vulnerable children for his own sexual gratification. Court proceedings revealed that Roe had taken indecent actions against children in his care, with some incidents occurring in private settings and others in public places. One particularly shocking detail was Roe's photograph of a 13-year-old boy, which was later found in a gay contact magazine. The boy was subjected to repeated abuse at Roe's residence, where other men were sometimes present, and Roe introduced him to these men, who also engaged in indecent acts and paid the boy for sex.

Judge Michael Henshaw, presiding over the case, condemned Roe's actions, stating, “You used your position to gratify your own sexual desires and were and will remain a significant danger to young boys. You masqueraded as a caring professional but there was a gross betrayal of trust.” The court heard that some of Roe's offences dated back to the 1980s, specifically between 1982 and 1988, when he was working in Manchester care homes. Prosecutor Maurice Greene emphasized that Roe, who denied all charges, had preyed on children who were too young to understand or resist, including a 13-year-old boy Roe would pick up from a special school and abuse at his home.

Further allegations detailed Roe paying another teenage boy between £10 and £15 for sexual services after picking him up near a bus stop. The court also learned that Roe had used his professional position to target children who were particularly vulnerable, exploiting their trust and innocence.

As a result of his crimes, Roe has been disqualified indefinitely from working with or having any contact with children under 16. He will also be registered as a sex offender for life. Detective Sergeant Shaun Egan of Greater Manchester Police, who led the investigation, described Roe as “evil” and praised the courage of the victims who came forward to testify. Egan stated, “For the last seven years, we have been working with many people on a long and often difficult inquiry, as they relived the horrors they were subjected to as children. I would like to applaud the courage of everyone who has managed to come forward and played their part in ensuring these prosecutions.”

Roe's arrest occurred while he was working in Hornchurch through an agency, and his case marks the sixth man to be sentenced as part of Operation Cleopatra, highlighting the extensive efforts by authorities to combat child abuse within care systems.