WHEN Michael Brizzalari was convicted of child abuse in 2002, the judge told the jurors that there was some “serious lying going on” and invited them to decide whether the witnesses or the defendant were responsible. Lack of compelling material evidence in cases of historical abuse often leaves judges and juries in such a difficult position.

Mr Brizzalari, from Grimsby, a retired care worker, was jailed for 15 years for abusing girls in a local authority care home where he worked until the early 1990s. His appeal was heard this week and he is awaiting a ruling.

James Bernard Littlewood, who was convicted of abuse at the same home, is also appealing against his conviction. The men hope to join the growing list of children’s workers who have overturned convictions of abuse. They include Basil Rigby-Williams, who was freed from jail last year after judges ruled that his conviction for abusing boys was unsafe.

Mr Rigby-Williams, 58, had been jailed in 1999 for 12 years after he was found guilty of 19 charges of indecent assault and one charge of serious sexual assault. He worked at the same Merseyside approved school as the Wolverhampton Wanderers football manager Dave Jones, who was cleared of similar charges three years ago.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Sarah Brown says 'no thanks' to veal at G8 - twice
• Stockton-on-Tees is obesity capital of Britain
• Stores blame poor sales on Murray factor