Avon and Somerset Police have charged 10 people in connection with ill treatment and neglect offences under the Mental Health Act relating to alleged offences committed at Winterbourne View. The 7 men and 3 women face a total of 40 charges against four victims. They are due to appear before Bristol magistrates on December 15. These charges come after secret filming by the BBC’s Panorama programme at Winterbourne View near Bristol uncovered alleged abuse. The private hospital was shut in June by operator Castlebeck.
Three men aged 25, 27 and 41, who have also been arrested on suspicion of causing ill treatment under the Mental Capacity Act, remain on police bail, pending further enquiries. A 14th person – a 40-year-old man – who was arrested on suspicion of common assault has been released without charge.
