Horrific Kennet School rape case prompts Serious Case Review
Robert Neill convicted on 10 counts of sexual offences
AN investigation is under way into how a Kennet School teacher was able to rape and abuse boys in his care.
The case of Robert ‘Alan’ Neill has been referred to the West Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children’s Board which is currently conducting a Serious Case Review.
Neill, aged 63, was jailed for 21 years in March after being convicted of 10 counts of sexual offences, including raping a boy under 16, between 1988 and 2003.
The jury at Reading Crown Court had heard that the boy who was raped by Neill had suffered injuries lasting days but that the mental scars had lasted a lifetime.
Neill was employed at Kennet School from September 1, 1995, until his dismissal by governors on November 9, 2007.
The understands that Neill was arrested around 2005 following allegations of sexual misconduct involving two children unconnected with the school, but that he was acquitted in 2007 following a trial.
A spokesman for West Berkshire Council, Martin Dunscombe, said: “West Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) has initiated a Serious Case Review process.
“The scope of the review, and the subsequent publication of learning arising from the review, will be overseen by the independent chair of West Berkshire LSCB.”
West Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children Board is made up of organisations which work with children and young people. The board’s website lists its ‘independent chair’ as Frances Gosling-Thomas.
Serious Case Reviews are carried out when abuse or neglect are known or suspected factors when a child has died, or when a child has been seriously harmed and there is cause for concern as to the way in which agencies or other relevant persons have worked together to safeguard the child.
The reviews are to establish what improvements, if any, can be made to the way in which professionals and agencies work together to safeguard children.
It is anticipated that the review will be completed by July and that its findings will be made public.
