Then a young woman, Dawn Reed, was implicated as well. The local council, conducted a disciplinary hearing which concluded the children had been abused. From the many children and multiple bizarre abuse allegations, only a few charges were laid. These included rape and indecent assault.
The case went to trial in 1994-JUN. The Judge, Mr. Justice Holland, decided that the evidence was unreliable. Both defendants were acquitted. Some of the parents stormed the dock and attempted to attack the defendants. They marched through the streets of Newcastle with banners proclaiming "Believe the Children" and "We believe the kids". A public inquiry and financial compensation was demanded.
The Council was in difficulties, because they had already concluded that the pair were guilty, and the costs of compensating over 100 children would be immense. They decided to appoint an internal independent inquiry. One of the advisors to the inquiry was Judith Dawson (now Judith Jones), an evangelist and leading Satanic Ritual Abuse lecturer and therapist. Their report has not been published, and may never be distributed because the insurance company will not underwrite its cost.
The media has repeatedly named the two workers as abusers. In spite of their acquittal by the court, they are presumed guilty by many of the citizens of Newcastle.