James's Ordeal

by Robert Cooper

It was only a brief glimpse but I was sure of what I had seen. My classmate James' back was terribly scarred and still bleeding in places. No wonder he was so careful about showing his body in the locker room. I immediately ran to Coach's office and told him what I had seen. I told him to call James in at once, get another staff member as witness and reveal this abuse.

Coach was always going on about child abuse. He felt very strongly about it. Coach told me to get James here into his office while he called the Deputy Principal in as witness. He also got out his camera from his desk drawer.

I went out into the locker room and told James that he was wanted in Coach's office. I went with him to make sure he did not do a runner. In the office, coach looked at James and said kindly, "Tell me about your back."

James went red and said "Coach there is nothing wrong with my back."

The Deputy Principal came into the office and sat in the corner.

I said "Come on James, tell them who did it. I saw it when you were changing."

He burst into tears. "He said he would kill me if I told."

"Who?" asked coach.

"My step father" James cried.

"Show me your back please?"He slowly removed his tee shirt and revealed his back.

It was criss crossed with wounds and weals. Some fresh and still bleeding, others old and part healed.

Coach then asked if James would permit him to photograph his wounds. Were there any others?

"Yes" said James. "All over my bottom and legs." He pushed the waistband of his shorts down a bit to show serious cane marks on his buttocks."

"Will you allow me to take you to Hospital for assessment,"

"If you think it necessary; But if he finds out he will go berserk."

"He won't get a chance. I am going to have him and your mother arrested right now."

"I will get the children's officer to meet us at the hospital."

"What about me?

"You can stay with me until this gets sorted out" I said. "I have a spare bed in my room. My Father is a lawyer and is all over cases like this. He will apply to the court for appointment as 'Guardian ad Litem " so James will have his own personal lawyer."

"Do you know where your real father is?"

"Yes, He is the store manager at Johnson's Supermarket on the commercial Estate."

"Can I call him?."

" Yes, Mum said he did not want me but I don't believe her."

"Either way I think he needs to be told."

Coach, take him to the Hospital. Take Andrew with you. I will deal with the children's officer and contact the Father. They will all meet you at the hospital."said the Deputy

I took James back to the locker room to finish getting dressed then we went in Coach's car to the hospital.

There we went into A & E and coach explained what he wanted. The Receptionist called the Paediatric Registrar to come and see to James. Coach said that a police representative and perhaps the boy's Father would be here shortly. We waited for about 15 minutes for the Doctor. During this time a plain clothes policeman arrived, followed by James' Father. Coach explained to them both why he had called them.

James' father went to him, hugged him gently and said "I was not allowed to see you. Your mother prevented me. I used to wait outside your school at end of day just to see you."

He turned to Coach, "Thank you for uncovering this situation."

"Thank Andrew here, he spotted the damage and came to me straight away. I detest child abuse and will do all I can to stop it. I am also a 'Mandatory Reporter' so I had to take action.

When I called James into my office I had the Deputy Principal as a witness. The boy told us that his step father did all this to him. I only saw the back and the top of his buttocks when he pulled the waist of his shorts down a little way. That's when I decided the next step was to have him assessed at the hospital. I fear that the damage goes right down to his thighs."

Doctor Williams arrived. He was briefed by all concerned. He then asked James if he would allow witnesses while he made his examination.

James then said "I want Andrew, my Father and the policeman."

"Right then, that is how it will be." said Williams. "Come this way."

We all trooped into an examination room.

"I know this will be embarrassing for you but I need you to strip to your underwear first off." Williams said

James took off all his outer wear, standing there in just his briefs.

His father hissed in anger. The policeman looked startled. James turned and I saw his back, bottom and thighs were criss crossed with cuts and weals.

"May I take photographs? It would take ages to write down all this damage. Lower your briefs for me to get the full extent of your injuries."

James stood facing a white wall to give a good contrast for the photos.

O.K. said the Doctor, you may pull your underwear back up , I will get my assistant to bring some cream with a painkiller for your back.

I saw the policeman take out his radio. He read off James' address and said "I want both Step father and mother arrested immediately. Charges, assault on a minor, permitting assault on a minor, causing G.B.H and use of a minor as slave labour."

He then said to James, "They will both be arrested and held in custody until they appear in court. We will oppose bail on the grounds that they will attempt to harm you."

"As soon as we finish here, I want us to get with Andrew's Father and make a full statement if you feel up to it."

James' father then added, "I will call in later and see Andrew's parents and square things up with them."

I went into the hallway, took out my phone and called home. I told Mum that I was bringing some people home with me. The situation was difficult. I was not in any trouble but Dad needed to be there if at all possible. It was urgent. She acknowledged and said she would call dad right away.

When we got to my home, Dad's car was already in the driveway. I helped James out of the car, Coach was with me. The officer was right behind.

We went into the dining room,Mum asked about drinks, Dad got his pad out and looked at me first.

I described what I saw in the locker room, how I went to Coach. How he called James in. How James at first denied anything wrong.

Coach then took over and described what he saw when he persuaded James to remove his tee shirt He said that when he asked who did it, James was reluctant to say at first because of threats by his step father.

Then the trip to A&E for assessment.

The officer then described his actions. He told us that James' mother and step father were already in custody.

My dad asked James if he would show his back? He could wait for the official hospital report for the rest. James lifted his tee shirt. My Dad went pale. Mum had just come in with a tray and had to put it down in a hurry.

Dad said "I think this lad has had enough for today. I will take his statement tomorrow after he has had a good meal and a night sleep in a safe place."

Coach then said "We have contacted the boy's natural father. He was at the hospital but had to return to his work to close up. He will call in to see you later today.

"Can you call him and ask him to come for dinner at 7.30" Dad said.

Coach answered that he would. He would also drop in a set of photographs that he took this afternoon.

Dad said he would contact the police officer when he was ready to do the interview with James. The officer could bring his 'official' recorder as well.

Coach and the officer departed.

Mum said that I should show James to our room and see if I could find him some kit to wear for this evening. Then he could have a shower and put on clean clothes.

I took James upstairs, sat him on the second bed and rummaged through my kit to find him something that might fit. I then took him into the shower room and showed him how it worked. I gave him a towel but told him that I would dry his back for him so he did not do any more damage. I laid out a tee shirt, track suit bottoms, socks and trainers. I gave him a bikini brief to take into the bathroom. I told him to put his dirties outside the bathroom door and we would take them down with us when he finished. I went into my room to do some homework. I heard the shower running for a good long time, then it shut off. James appeared clutching his towel. He turned round and I gently patted him dry. The state of his back almost brought tears to my eyes. How could somebody do this to a young boy? I helped him to get dressed. Most of the kit fitted fairly well. We went downstairs. I asked Dad if he could arrange an officer to come with us to James' home to gather some clothes and things tomorrow.

I caught dad alone and told him about the full state of James' back, bum and legs. He would see the photographs from the hospital but the reality was even more shocking. I told him to get these evil people sent away for a very long time.

James' father arrived at about 7, apologising for the fact that he had to go back to his store and close up. He spent a short time with Dad in his office where he explained his circumstances regarding James and his ex wife. He told Dad that he had no idea what was going on. He had been kept completely away from James after the divorce.

Meal time was a revelation. James only took one of everything. One slice of meat, one small potato, one sprout and a small dab of gravy. Not even enough for a mouse.

Mother challenged him and he said that was all he was allowed at home. He had what his carers did not eat. If they ate it all then he had nothing. Sometimes they delayed coming to table and then he would be beaten because the food was cold. After meals he had to clean up. His step father would inspect the kitchen. If his stepfather found any fault he would be made to strip naked and lay on the kitchen table where his step father would beat him with a thin bamboo cane which was kept on a shelf beside the cooker.

Mum was horrified. Dad looked more determined. James' father looked ill.

After dinner, James started to clear the dishes. Mum stopped him. Andrew's turn tonight. We all take turns. You go spend some time with your Dad.

Dad caught me in the kitchen loading the dishwasher. That boy has had a terrible time. I am sure that more will come to light in my interview. I promise you that I will do all I can to ensure those evil people are in prison for a long, long time. He will need care and therapy to make him whole again. No matter the outcome of the trial he is psychologically scarred for life. I am pleased that you brought him home. I admire your courage in reporting to your Coach. I hope that you can show him what a normal family is.

The evening went on with James sitting with his father just chatting. His father told him that he would find an apartment within the catchment area of his school. He would have his own room and everything he needed. His father left at 10.00 saying that he would call in to the school to amend James' contact details.

I took James up to our room, found him some boxers to sleep in and got him bedded down for the night. I turned in then.

At about 2.00 a.m. I woke to hear him sobbing softly.

I went over to his bed and found a hand to hold. I reassured him that he was quite safe now and that no further harm would come to him now that my Dad was involved. First thing tomorrow he would apply to the Court for a no contact order to prevent his step father and mother from approaching within 500 yards of him anywhere.

He would live here until his father sorted out accommodation for them. He would come to school with me in the morning and back in the afternoon. I would arrange a couple of my good friends to look after him at school when he had different classes to me.

He stopped weeping but said "Could you hug me for a bit? I feel totally lost just now. I need to feel that somebody cares."

I lifted the duvet and snuggled in behind him. He wriggled close so he felt as much contact as he could. He then drifted off into a deep sleep.

I woke at 8 next morning. James and I did our duties in the bathroom, got dressed and went down to see what was for breakfast. Mum chased James from the kitchen saying with a smile that in this house the kitchen was her department.

Coach had left a message that we were not expected at school that day.

Dad said that he had arranged to collect James' kit at 10.30 and a constable would be there as witness. Dad also said that he wanted that bamboo taken as evidence. A detective would meet us there and collect it. Something to do with 'chain of custody'. If if was all done properly then the opposing legal team could not claim 'tampering'. It would then be examined for D.N.A evidence. This would go with the photographs and hospital report. After all that we would come back here and prepare for the interview. In view of the seriousness of this case, a Detective Inspector would be present at the interview. Dad knew him well having worked with him often.

James and I went up to his room and collected most of his clothes. He did not have much. We also collected the contents of his bedside cabinet. He took out the top drawer to reveal a photo of his father taped to the underside. He also took an old family photograph from the wall showing his grandparents as well as his parents. Once we finished the room looked bare.

We arrived home at 11.30 and took James' kit upstairs to our room and put it all away. I emptied a drawer for his socks and underwear and small stuff.

Father said that the D.I and his recorder had already arrived by the time we had finished.

James said that he wanted me with him to give him courage to answer all of the questions. He needed re-assurance that he was finally away from those evil people. We all got comfortable in Dad's office. Then Dad started.

For the recorder he stated the date and time. He then listed the persons present. Then he told James to answer his questions truthfully and fully. To ask if he did not understand anything.

Was James O.K with this?

James replied that he was good with everything so far.

Dad asked his to describe a 'Normal Day' in his old home.

James then started.

I would get up at 6.00, get dressed and then start my tasks. First I cleaned the bathroom and toilet and shower. Next I would clean and polish the stair handrail and dust the spindles .I had to be very quiet so as not to wake them up.

I then went down and tidied up the sitting room, putting away the papers and magazines. I emptied and cleaned both ashtrays and sprayed a little air freshener. Then into the dining room for the same work. If I sprayed too much I would be beaten for waste.

Then into the kitchen and prepare breakfast for the two of them. After I had it all laid out ready to cook I would clean the kitchen everywhere.

When I heard them moving around I would start cooking their food. Eggs had to be just as they wanted, just runny in the yolk. If they wasted time before coming down the eggs would be over cooked and the toast cold. Another beating. Once they were eating I would get the vacuum cleaner out and do all the carpets in all rooms. If they had left overs I was allowed to eat. If they had finished it all I had nothing.

Once finished I would stand at the foot of the stairs while step father inspected. He always found fault. I then had to strip naked and lay on the kitchen table. He would beat me on the back, bum and thighs. At least ten strokes, sometimes more.

I would then get dressed for school and leave for school.

When I returned after school I had to do my homework, lay it out on the dining table for step father to check it. Wrong answers meant beating.

Next I had to prepare dinner for them. Mother would have taken what they wanted from the freezer and set it on the worktop with whatever vegetables they wanted. Dinner was at 7.30 sharp. Over or under even by a minute meant beating.

When step father was in a bad mood I spent a lot of time on the kitchen table.

If anything left over from dinner I was allowed to eat. If they ate it all I had nothing. Sometimes I would be two days without food. I would steal a slice or two of bread sometimes.

Often the kind boys at school would see I had no lunch and give me some of theirs.

It was humiliating but I was grateful.

I was not allowed to watch T.V I had to stay in my room and read my school books.

I would get my father's picture from under my drawer and pray that he would one day come and rescue me.

Weekends were worse. I had to clean the whole house, top to bottom with stepfather watching, checking and criticising all the time. Sundays I had to take all the rubbish bins into the garden and clean them until sparking. Even the kitchen waste bin. I then had to clean the garden, mow the grass,trim the edges. Paths swept clean, weeds pulled. Even if it was raining.

May I have a glass of water please.

Dad came out of his lawyer mode apologised to all and scurried off to get drinks.

I was horrified at this tale of abuse. I just hugged James gently and told him that it was all over now, things would be different from now on.

Drinks were served and interview restarted.

Why did you not say anything at school?

He said he would kill me if I told anybody. I believed him.

If he was in a bad mood he would beat me more often and harder .

Weekends were worse. They were there all the time watching and constantly finding fault. I could never do anything right.

Once the trial is over I want to burn that cane and table. For the first time he showed anger.

James turned to me, hung on my neck and just sobbed loud and hard. On the verge of a complete breakdown. All caught on the recorder.

The D/I said that he had enough for a conviction. With the medical report and forensic evidence he felt sure neither of the parents would see the light of day for many years.

Indeed he felt that they would be in danger inside the prison.

Four Months Later

When the case came to trial James was a different boy. Taller with more body, confident and outspoken.

Our barrister spoke eloquently of the ordeal that James had suffered at the hands of his step father and natural mother. How they had prevented the natural father from contact with his son by dubious legal ploys. How they had inflicted serious harm to a growing teen. How they had psychologically beaten him down to the level of a slave to their whims. He introduced the hospital report and the photographs, the forensic evidence and finally he called James to the witness box.

He then played the tape of his interview with my father. I saw some of the jurors flinching as he described his treatment.

He asked James if he recognised the interview. James said yes and he had for the first time felt safe enough to speak out loud of his abuse.

The Barrister asked if he had anything to add.

Yes he said. I am ever grateful to Andrew for spotting my injuries and getting me help. I want to thank my natural father for standing up for me. And above all to see my evil stepfather and compliant mother put away for a long long time. I still have nightmares.

Also I still want to burn that table and cane to give me closure.

The Defence Barrister had a feeble plea base on old testament texts and quotes from their extremist Pastor.

The Judge summed up and the Jury retired. They only took one hour.

Guilty on all counts.

The Judge in his sentencing said that he had rarely heard such a litany of child abuse and deprivation. He awarded the proceeds of the sale of their house do defray the cost of therapy and damages to James.

Step father to go to prison for not less than 20 years, mother to go to prison for not less than 15 years.

Court adjourned.

The trial report featured in all the local papers.

Kids at our school rallied round in support.

A local philanthropist gave James father a two bedroom bungalow near the school.

Local supermarkets and stores gave vouchers for food and furniture.

James still could not believe how his life had changed, all from a chance view of a scarred back.

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James's Ordeal

by Robert Cooper

Four Months Later