This is the story of a Alfred Peachment who was killed in his back yard. He was selling his home for re-development to a buyer. His body is found in his back yard and a gardener boy that does not speak is arrested. The boy is very violent so there is almost no doubt he did it.
A policeman that works in the area seems very knowledgeable about the house and said it was a school. It turns out it was an orphanage where kids were sexually abused by Alfred Peachment and also by people involved with him on boards and in the community. Mrs Peachment ignored what went on, a doctor connected with the house took care of the kids for 10 years and never reported anything wrong but he knew of abuse of broken bones and sexual abuse. A number of people connected with the house wanted it thrown down to protect their own involvement. George Gently finds medical records hidden in a blocked cellar wall.
This episode is sad but gives insight on what abused children go through. It tells how the survivors are haunted with memories and fear. It tells of how they were fooled and trusted adults and where told not to tell anyone and that the sexual abuse is love. Kids that are not living with families that love them are easier targets.
It tells how kids were singled out and held underwater in a bathtub in the secret cellar. No one would talk, it created a lot of fear. Only a few were adopted out.
They victims also do not want to tell the people their past horrors. They did not want to go to Court to testify. The people that hurt them are dead and they just want to go on with their lives.
Gently has to come to terms with what justice is for the victims and for the dead man, Alfred Peachment.
Parents should talk to their kids, this happens in schools, camps and other organizations with people you trust.
You can watch it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Iq3cwEEW4