BBC report club sacked a scout accused of sexual abuse 1988 but didn't report it

[CT Villan]

It's a horrible thing to have happened, but where I am mystified is why Brien and/or his parents didn't go to the police themselves ?

[davidb]

It's a horrible thing to have happened, but where I am mystified is why Brien and/or his parents didn't go to the police themselves ?
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It's a horrible thing to have happened, but where I am mystified is why Brien and/or his parents didn't go to the police themselves ?

They trusted the club?

i don't like being a villa fan right now. This sort thing isn't what b6 is about

[Dave]

It's a horrible thing to have happened, but where I am mystified is why Brien and/or his parents didn't go to the police themselves ?

Presumably the same reason(s) the Saville victims didn't. Or the Rolf Harris victims, or the Chris Denning, Max Clifford, Stuart Hall victims, or seemingly the majority of victims in cases like this didn't.

[olaftab]

1988 may well be 1888 when it comes to how the society has changed for the better in the last 30 years on issues like this. There is no point in berating the club  or Graham Taylor now; just make sure lessons are learnt.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd say there's plenty of reason to criticise those involved in any kind of cover up. Whether it was last year, 30 years ago or 100 years ago.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm afraid I can't agree. The man was sacked in 1987 for crimes against kids. We still employed him in a position where he would have access to children afterwards. Unforgivable.

Edit: response to Aftab.

[steamer]

What I read was that, it was reported and that Richardson took it to Taylor and Doug.
My first nasty thought (please forgive me) that Doug could be implicated in a cover up.
However after an internal inquiry we did the semi right thing and fired him.
Times have changed, and yes we should have called the police.
Times/attitudes have changed and although I have huge sympathy for the victims.
The perpetrator is dead, Do you really want to drag GT family into this where it is all hearsay and he is not around to defend himself.
Why were the allegations, which are tenuous not leveled when he was alive .

[olaftab]

I'm afraid I can't agree. The man was sacked in 1987 for crimes against kids. We still employed him in a position where he would have access to children afterwards. Unforgivable.

Edit: response to Aftab.

OK I didn't realise that when I posted. Yes that is bad.

[Villa75]

I don't get why we should have called the police, against the apparent wishes of the victim?

Surely we should, and it looks like we did, respect his decision?

[XXVilla]

I don't get why we should have called the police, against the apparent wishes of the victim?

Surely we should, and it looks like we did, respect his decision?

You don't think a crime like this should get reported regardless? And what about the implication for the club in terms of accusations cover up, coercion etc etc?

[Villa75]

I don't get why we should have called the police, against the apparent wishes of the victim?

Surely we should, and it looks like we did, respect his decision?

You don't think a crime like this should get reported regardless? And what about the implication for the club in terms of accusations cover up, coercion etc etc?

BBC report;

"Mr Richardson said the parents involved did not want the matter reported to the police but, after consulting with Mr Taylor and Mr Ellis, Langford was sacked by the club."

The parents didn't want it reported to the police. In the 1980's the stigma and attitude were different to what we have now, and the support for victims was not as it should be, and miles away from what we have now. The parent's wishes would definitely be respected differently than they are now.

Today everything will be, and should be, reported without question. Thankfully we live in different times. But let's stop pretending what we have now existed 30 years ago.

[XXVilla]

I don't get why we should have called the police, against the apparent wishes of the victim?

Surely we should, and it looks like we did, respect his decision?

You don't think a crime like this should get reported regardless? And what about the implication for the club in terms of accusations cover up, coercion etc etc?

BBC report;

"Mr Richardson said the parents involved did not want the matter reported to the police but, after consulting with Mr Taylor and Mr Ellis, Langford was sacked by the club."

The parents didn't want it reported to the police. In the 1980's the stigma and attitude were different to what we have now, and the support for victims was not as it should be, and miles away from what we have now. The parent's wishes would definitely be respected differently than they are now.

Today everything will be, and should be, reported without question. Thankfully we live in different times. But let's stop pretending what we have now existed 30 years ago.

But it shouldn't have been up to the parents should it? A sexual crime was committed against a child. The parents wishes shouldn't really come into it. What if the parents were complicit? I know they weren't in this case, but it happens.

[Villa75]

Again, today absolutely.

But Parent's wishes would have been held in different regard with these matters 30-40 years ago.

[cdbearsfan]

Even if you accept that, the actions of certain people at the club AFTER he was sacked were undoubtedly disgraceful.

[Villa75]

Even if you accept that, the actions of certain people at the club AFTER he was sacked were undoubtedly disgraceful.

Agreed. Let's see what the detailed inquiry brings out.