Volunteers who preyed on vulnerable children brought to justice

Two paedophiles who preyed on vulnerable boys living in a Newcastle orphanage have been brought to justice more than 50 years after carrying out their vile abuse.

As a young man, Raymond Mongan was a seemingly respected teacher who spent weekends volunteering at St Vincent’s Orphanage.

But during the course of his volunteer work, Mongan abused his position of trust and preyed on those in his care.

An initial report was made to police decades later by one victim in 2002, but at the time there was insufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution.

In 2016, a second victim came forward and was able to give the names of other potential victimsand the investigation progressed.

As a result of this, a total of six victims disclosed their abuse to police at the hands of Mongan (pictured below), now 85, leading to his arrest in January 2019.

During the course of the investigation, a second volunteer, Alfred Spraggon, 78, was identified.

In June 2020, Mongan, from Wallsend, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child, in relation to six victims.

Spraggon, from Newcastle, denied charges against him – but on Wednesday a jury at the same court found him guilty of one indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.

Sadly, three of the victims passed away before they were able to see their attackers brought to justice.

DCI Graeme Dodds heads Northumbria Police’s Complex Abuse Unit and he has praised the incredibly brave victims for coming forward and working tirelessly with police to see justice.

He said:

“Raymond Mongan and Alfred Spraggon are predators.

“They abused their positions of trust and their actions have had a devastating impact on their victims.

“Their volunteer roles within the orphanage were supposed to offer support to the vulnerable children, like a big brother or a father figure – someone these children could rely on. Instead, they subjected them to horrific ordeals and took away their ability to trust.”

He added:

"I urge anyone who is the victim of historic sexual abuse to please speak out.

“We are here to support you and do everything we can to ensure offenders are brought to justice.”

Mongan and Spraggon have been remanded and are due to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court in May.

Anyone who has been a victim of rape, sexual assault or abuse, recent or historic, is asked to contact police on 101 or report via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website. Always call 999 in an emergency.

To contact the 24/7 Crisis Helpline contact 03333448283 or find out more about the Sexual Assault Referral Centre by searching REACH SARC online.

Victims can also contact Victims First Northumbria on 0800 011 3116 who will give independent advice and support.

For more information about rape or sexual assault search Northumbria Police online.