A former care home manager in West Yorkshire allegedly isolated and sexually abused vulnerable children over nearly two decades, a court has heard. Malcolm Phillips, 92, is accused of using his “unfettered access” to children at Skircoat Lodge care home in Halifax between 1976 and 1994.
His assistant of 16 years, Linda Brunning, 66, is also accused of helping him abuse children and indecently assaulting one boy herself. A trial for Brunning and a trial of facts for Phillips, who has been deemed unfit to stand trial, opened on Monday at Bradford Crown Court.
Prosecutor Michelle Colborne KC told jurors that Phillips was the manager from when Skircoat Lodge opened in 1976 as a residential temporary home for children subject to care orders. The children were vulnerable, many having suffered previous abuse, and some were “simply unwanted, marked as troublemakers in the system”.
Female complainants described Phillips entering their bedrooms at night and indecently assaulting them. Colborne said Phillips lived in a flat leading to the girls’ bedrooms, giving him “unfettered access”. Brunning, described as a “large and domineering woman”, allegedly facilitated assaults and manipulated children.
Phillips faces charges including indecent assault, indecency with a child, buggery, and rape. Brunning is charged with indecent assault, aiding and abetting indecent assault, and aiding and abetting buggery.
