UK Cops Helped Cover Up Sex Abuse at Orphanage

UK police helped cover up sexual abuse at an orphanage in Albania run by a Briton, the Guardian reports after investigating the scandal. The shelter’s director, 57-year-old David Brown, was convicted yesterday and sentenced to 20 years in an Albanian jail. British police were tipped off in 2004, but did not pass on the information because Brown promised to set up a new orphanage.

“We kept it secret from the Albanians,” said a retired police inspector present at a meeting between Brown and British investigators. “We knew what would happen—someone would be arrested and the children would be back on the street.” Two other Britons are still on trial in Albania; 10 children aged 4-13 told authorities they were raped or abused by the trio. (More Albania stories.)