**Two Men Plead Not Guilty to Historic Child Sex Abuse Allegations at Welsh Assessment Centre**
Two men have firmly denied allegations of a series of historical child sexual abuse offences said to have occurred at a now-closed children’s assessment centre in Wales, following their appearance at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. The men, Angus Riddell and Robin Griffiths, are at the centre of a major investigation that has seen numerous historic allegations come to light.
Both Riddell, aged 70, and Griffiths, 65, face multiple charges relating to incidents alleged to have taken place over several decades. The alleged offences, which involve both male and female complainants, are cited as having happened primarily at Coed Glas Assessment Centre in Abergavenny, a facility for children that has since ceased to operate. The period in question spans the 1970s through to the 1990s.
At their court appearance on Friday, both defendants entered pleas of not guilty to all charges levelled against them. The formal proceedings follow an extensive police enquiry into claims of both sexual and physical abuse at the centre decades ago, which reportedly impacted a number of now-adult men and women during their time at the institution as children. According to the prosecution, there are currently 16 individuals involved as complainants in the case, with the number of charges totalling 45.
Riddell, of Blaennantygroes Road, Cwmbach, Aberdare, faces some of the most serious accusations in the case. He is charged with three counts of indecent assault on a girl aged under 16, one charge of attempted indecent assault on a girl under the same age, and 14 counts of indecent assault on a boy who was under 14 at the time. Additionally, Riddell is accused of 20 separate counts relating to the assault, ill-treatment, neglect, or abandonment of a child or young person with the intention of causing unnecessary suffering or injury.
Meanwhile, Griffiths, of Mines Road, Bideford, Devon, faces seven charges of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14. Both men remain steadfast in their denials. During court proceedings, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, The Recorder of Cardiff, ruled that both defendants should remain on conditional bail until further hearings.
A trial date has been scheduled for 18 January 2027, with the case anticipated to extend over a three-month period. The length and complexity of the forthcoming trial highlight the serious nature of the allegations and the volume of evidence which will come under legal scrutiny.
Commenting after their arrests, Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck of Gwent Police urged the public to refrain from speculation, particularly on online platforms, citing the importance of upholding the integrity of the judicial process. He emphasised that respect for legal proceedings allows for a fair trial and helps protect those involved in what is clearly a sensitive and complex inquiry.
The allegations underpinning this prosecution follow ongoing national concern about the historic abuse of children within care settings across the UK. Calls for transparency, safeguarding and justice have intensified in recent years, placing scrutiny on historic cases such as this. While these allegations have not been proven in a court of law, their scope and detail stand as a stark reminder of why past institutional practices have come under increasing review.
These proceedings, still in their preliminary stages, will be watched closely by former residents, campaigners for child protection, and the wider public. As legal experts and advocates point out, the careful management of such cases is essential, not only to ensure a fair outcome for the accused, but also to provide recognition and support for alleged victims who come forward many years after the events in question.
The case now enters a period of legal preparation ahead of the scheduled 2027 trial date, and further updates will be provided as the judicial process continues. In the interim, both defendants retain their legal right to be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.