A former care home manager in West Yorkshire sexually abused vulnerable children over nearly two decades, a court has heard. Malcolm Phillips, 92, is accused of abusing children at Skircoat Lodge in Halifax between 1976 and 1994. His assistant, Linda Brunning, 66, is alleged to have helped him and indecently assaulted a boy herself.
Prosecutor Michelle Colborne KC told Bradford Crown Court that Phillips used his “unfettered access” to isolate and abuse children, many of whom were “unwanted” or had suffered previous abuse. Girls were made to wear nighties, and Phillips would enter their bedrooms at night to assault them, the court heard.
Brunning, described as a “large and domineering woman”, is accused of facilitating assaults and manipulating children. The defendants allegedly threatened to withhold pocket money or cancel family visits to maintain control. Children who ran away were returned by police and labelled troublemakers.
One complainant recalled being assaulted as a teenager in the late 1970s, while another, aged 10, said Phillips assaulted her at least 10 times, referring to her as “one of his special girls”. Phillips, deemed unfit to stand trial, faces a trial of facts on charges including indecent assault, buggery and rape. Brunning denies charges of indecent assault and aiding and abetting abuse.
