Calderdale Council apologises to victims of abuse at Skircoat Lodge children's home
A former assistant at the now closed children's home was jailed yesterday
Last updated 7 hours ago
A council has apologised to victims who were subject to “devastating abuse” at a Halifax children’s home from the 1970s to the 1990s.
At Bradford Crown Court today (June 8, 2026), final orders were made in respect of Malcolm Phillips, who was manager of Skircoat Lodge children’s home during the period of offending.
And Judge Kirstie Watson sentenced Linda Brunning, of Sowerby Bridge, to 25 years for her role in the abuse meted out by Phillips to children in their care at the Calderdale Council home, which closed in the mid 1990s.
In February she was found guilty of one count of indecent assault on a male child and four further offences of aiding and abetting serious sexual abuse carried out by Phillips, who was the former manager of the home.
Brunning was sentenced to 25 years for her role in the abuse and she was also made subject to the Sex Offenders Register requirements indefinitely.
The judge also made final orders in respect of Phillips, 93, formerly of Birmingham, who managed Skircoat Lodge during the period of offending.
Phillips was deemed unfit to stand trial and therefore faced a trial of facts, a legal process which does not result in a criminal conviction or custodial sentence.
However, a jury concluded that he committed the sexual offences against children in his care.
At the hearing Judge Watson submitted an order of Absolute Discharge in relation to Phillips.
He was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, and also the Sex Offender Register requirements for the remainder of his life.
It was reiterated that, while a sentence could not be passed, the findings formally recognised the seriousness and scale of his offending and the harm caused to children.
A Calderdale Council spokesperson said the authority “apologised unreservedly” for the severe impact the abuse had on the victims who were children at the time.
They said: “The trial found that both Malcolm Phillips and Linda Brunning committed horrific offences of abuse of children, entrusted to their care, who were residing at Skircoat Lodge in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Calderdale Council is deeply sorry for the harm and suffering caused by these individuals, and apologises unreservedly for the devastating impact this abuse has had on the lives of their victims.”
Since that time, safeguarding practices have changed beyond recognition, said the council.
“There is a strong partnership, focus and commitment from all key organisations working together in Calderdale, to protect children and young people from harm.
“We take this responsibility extremely seriously.
“We work closely with Ofsted, who regularly undertake detailed inspections of our children’s homes, the outcomes of which are in the public domain.
“We thoroughly check the details of all our staff before they start working for the council, and our staff provide consistent, compassionate and high quality care within an environment of close oversight, with an empowering culture which puts the experiences of our children first,” said the spokesperson.