A "sensitive" grandad who claimed he was subject to daily prison officer attacks at a detention centre has died waiting for justice - and his family are fighting so he can “finally rest in peace”.
For decades, Paul Overton kept the abuse he suffered as a young boy at Kirklevington Detention Centre a secret, turning to alcohol to mask the trauma he endured.
And it was only around a decade ago that his family finally uncovered why he had relied on drink for so many years when he opened up about his terrifying ordeal behind bars.
Like many other victims, the grandad-of-three felt justice slipping away as the clock moved forward - and tragically, Paul died last month, before he could see his abusers held to account.
This is a fear of many of the other “forgotten” Kirklevington victims - and a stark reminder of how Cleveland Police’s 12-year Operation Magnolia is yet to see a single former officer charged.
Paul's daughter, Kirsti Overton, said she believes the “humiliating” historic abuse is a huge contributing factor to her dad’s liver failure and sad death on September 18.
And Kirsti 38, has now vowed to fight for closure - and justice - for her dad “more than ever”.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chatterton said he "wholeheartedly understands the concerns, frustrations, and questions" about the length of the probe and its "significant impact" on victims.
‘I never felt worthy of anyone’s love’
Paul, a painter and decorator, was sent to Kirklevington twice; first in October 1975 for three months for burglary and in October 1976 for three months for robbery.
While he sadly is no longer here to share his personal experiences of abuse, his family have now read heart-breaking notes he wrote for police and solicitors detailing his time at the Yarm “torture camp".
Paul Overton with his family (Image: FAMILY PIC)
Paul, a dad to carer and saleswoman Kirsti, counsellor Natalie, 40, businesswoman Ashleigh, 35, and scaffolder Ryan, 37, describes how he was slapped on arrival for “not saying sir”.
During his first night, he said he was “punched and kicked all over” for going to the toilet and “didn’t make that mistake again”.
The 65-year-old said he could not go to the toilet “on an officer's whim” - and for the rest of his life was left feeling anxious and always needed to be near a toilet.
Paul, who is originally from Walker, Newcastle, said that every meal time would be “counted by either being punched in the head or stomach” and said every letter sent home was “censored”.
Natalie and Kirsti Overton from Newcastle with photo of their dad Paul (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“Anything they didn’t like, the letter was ripped up, good slap, write it again,” he said.
He said he was whacked with items including a broom shank and a porridge stirrer, the latter of which he claimed was from Douglas Harrison.
“You weren’t allowed to complain,” he said.
HMP Kirklevington (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
“I thought it was normal to be beaten up. The police did it when interviewing when I went to Kirklevington. I thought it was normal to be physically abused.”
He said officers, some of whom were “evil”, would “get pleasure out of seeing how much he could see you were hurting” and even “got a buzz” of new inmates not knowing the rules.
Paul admitted in documents to police that he had problems trusting “almost everyone” and that he "never felt worthy of anyone’s love”, using alcohol to block out memories.
Paul Overton with his family (Image: FAMILY PIC)
‘Nobody is taking it seriously’
Kirsti, who lives in Longbenton, Newcastle, said her father “didn’t open up for years and years” but finally shared his abuse when it appeared in the media.
She said it was a “triggering” experience for him.
Natalie and Kirsti Overton from Newcastle with photo of their dad Paul (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“It came on the news about ten years ago,” she explained.
“He couldn’t really go to a counsellor at first with us and that is when he started writing it down. The police kept ringing and emailing asking for more and it would put him back in a spiral.
“He always felt like he wasn’t worthy or deserving. He always thought that this kind of treatment was normal, he normalised it and that it was ok.”
Kirsti said one of the most major impacts from his time there was his anxiety around the toilet, saying how officers would “play mind games” with her dad.
Paul Overton with his family (Image: FAMILY PIC)
She explained: “They couldn’t use it and if anybody tried to go they would beat you up. Dad developed anxiety around going to the toilet because of it.
"Whenever we would take him anywhere, he would need to be near a toilet. They were picking on children. They were just abusing their power.
“And if you draw attention to yourself in these places, you would be targeted.”
Kirsti said her dad “turned to drink” as a result and only stopped this year.
“He died of liver failure. I think it is a big contributing factor to why he died,” she said.
Natalie and Kirsti Overton from Newcastle and former mother in law Brenda Prior with photo of Paul (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“He drank for years and years and we never knew why. We didn’t have any answers, we didn’t know why he was suffering so much.
“My dad was such a sensitive soul and for us to learn about it was just heart-breaking.
“He has struggled with alcohol for all of his life. With finding a partner apart from mum, he couldn’t be with anybody else, he was always socially anxious.
“He never felt worthy of love.”
Cleveland Police has been investigating abuse at Kirklevington between the 1960s and 1990s since 2014 - but despite 21 suspects being interviewed, not one abuser has been convicted.
Seven former prison officers under investigation by police are now dead - with police now awaiting decisions on whether it can charge seven officers.
HMP Kirklevington (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Earlier this year, the Echo called for police to urgently prioritise the probe as victims continue to fear they will never see an officer dragged before the courts to answer for their actions.
We also called for a settlement scheme, where victims can claim compensation and receive a formal apology, while avoiding complex legal proceedings.
Victims of the scandal say they continue to feel forgotten over the length of the probe, saying they feel that justice is slipping away as more and more officers die.
Kirsti argued the police operation is “taking the mick”.
“Nobody is taking it seriously,” she said. “They should have taken it seriously 12 years ago.
Read more:
Seven prison officers in abuse probe dead as victims fear more will escape justice
'Kirklevington sparked my journey into hell. I was driven to the brink of suicide'
'The way forward' - Calls for compensation for Kirklevington abuse scandal victims
“We want to get him justice now, more than ever, so he can rest in peace knowing it is finally over. And for the other people sitting in it.”
At his funeral, the family asked people to make donations to support another victim’s legal battle over their own abuse at Kirklevington.
Detective Chief Inspector Chatterton, said: “I wholeheartedly understand the concerns, frustrations and questions around the length of time this investigation has taken.
“I also acknowledge the significant impact this investigation had had on victims, and in many cases their families, too.
"We continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), continuing to place the victims at the very heart of this investigation."
Kirklevington Detention Centre was operated by the Home Office - now the Ministry of Justice - and housed boys aged 14-17 sentenced to between three weeks and four months' detention.
It changed to an adult male resettlement prison, as it is known today, in 1992.