More than 70 charges over alleged child sex offences at centre

Two men accused of sexually assaulting children are now facing more than 70 charges between them.

Detectives investigating allegations at a former children's centre in Monmouthshire have charged Angus Riddell and Robin Griffiths with a further 26 offences between them, after they were initially charged with 45 offences last year.

Both are on bail and are due to appear before magistrates in March in relation to the new charges.

The two defendants previously denied the initial charges at court hearings, and a trial is due to take place in January 2027.

Riddell, 69, of Cwmbach, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was arrested on 24 February and has been charged with a further 21 offences including rape of a girl under 16 and indecent assault of boys and girls under the age of 14 along with assault, neglect or abandonment causing suffering or injury.

He was previously charged with 38 offences in June 2025.

Griffiths, 66, from Blaenau Gwent originally but now living in Bideford, Devon, was arrested on 23 February and has been charged with a further five sexual offences involving boys under the age of 14.

Griffiths was previously charged with seven offences in June 2025.

Gwent Police's Operation Spinney has been investigating reports from a number of men and women of sexual and physical abuse as children, predominantly at the former Coed Glas Assessment Centre, Abergavenny, between the 1970s and 1990s.

The centre at the time was the responsibility of the former Gwent local authority and has been closed since 1995.

Earlier this month, CPS authorised charges against two other people in connection with the investigation with six offences between them.

Lisa Gething, 59, from Abergavenny, a social worker employed by Caerphilly council, was charged with four counts of assault, neglect or abandoning a child causing unnecessary suffering or injury.

And Simon Bevan, 55, from Caerphilly, was charged with two counts of the same offence. They are also on bail and set to appear at Newport Crown Court on Friday.

Det Ch Supt Andrew Tuck of Gwent Police said: "We take all reports of child abuse seriously and would urge anyone who has suffered abuse or has concerns about someone who may be suffering to come forward and speak to the police.

"We will listen to you and investigate all offences and also ensure you have access to any help or support you need."