Two deny child abuse charges at former children's centre

Two people have denied charges linked to allegations of child abuse at a former children's centre in Monmouthshire.

Lisa Gething, 59, of Park Crescent, Abergavenny, and Simon Bevan, 55, of Montclaire Avenue, Blackwood, appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court earlier.

The charges related to Coed Glas home in Abergavenny which was a children's assessment centre between the 1970 and1990s.

Both were released on conditional bail and ordered not to contact co-defendants or prosecution witnesses.

Four charges of causing unnecessary suffering, neglect or assault of a child were put to Gething, relating to alleged incidents in the 1980s and 1990s, and involving three people under the age of 16 at the time.

Two charges of causing a child to be assaulted or ill treated, and causing unnecessary suffering, were put to Bevan, relating to alleged incidents in the 1990s involving two people under the age of 16 at the time.

Judge Sophie Toms sent the case to crown court, where both defendants will appear later this month.

Gething is understood to be a social worker employed by Caerphilly Council.

A council spokesman said: "We can confirm that a casual social worker employed within the emergency duty team is currently suspended pending ongoing investigations.

"The council has robust policies and safeguarding procedures in place when allegations against a member of staff are made, and we are supporting Gwent Police with their inquiries."

Gwent Police said it had brought the number of charges in its Operation Spinney investigation to 50 against 18 alleged victims, with two men appearing in court last year.

Angus Riddell, 69, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Robin Griffiths, 65, originally from Blaenau Gwent but now living in Devon, were charged in June 2025 with 45 offences between them.

They are due to face trial in 2027.