Second man charged for Worcestershire sex offences

The offences took place between 1966 and 1974.

Author: Ben CartwrightPublished 23rd Oct 2023

A second man has been sentenced for non-recent sexual offences against children, which were committed at a former boarding school in Worcestershire during the 1960s and 70s.

Maurice Lambell, 69, of Platt Fold Street in Wigan was sentenced to 25 years in prison at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (20 October) after he was previously found guilty of 30 offences.

He failed to appear for sentencing earlier this month and was arrested on warrant the following day.

His co-accused, Keith Figes, 73, of Breach Close in Bourton, Dorset, was sentenced to 27 years in prison earlier this month as part of the same case.

The offences took place between 1966 and 1974 at Berrow Wood School in the village of Pendock, on the border of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The school housed boys aged ten to 18, many of which were considered to have behavioural or learning difficulties. Lambell and Figes were both ‘housefathers’ at the school, entrusted with the care and welfare of the children.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Mark Walters, said: “This has been a complex and long case, extended further for the victims by Lambell failing to appear for his original sentencing date earlier this month. I’m pleased justice has finally been done for the survivors of Lambell and Figes’ institutionalised abuse.”