A Bradford man who claims he was 'tortured' in one of the city's children's homes in the 1980s is seeking compensation from social services.

The man, now 30, claims he was sexually abused by an older boy at the Barkerend Road children's home when he was ten.

Later at the Beaconsfield Road children's home in Clayton (now closed) he said he suffered under a harsh regime that included being stripped naked and made to stand with his nose touching the wall.

The only non-white child in the home, he claims he was forced to eat meat and attend church and Sunday School, despite his Hindu faith.

Police have investigated the sex abuse complaint and questioned a man before sending the file to the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS decided to take no action.

Today social services bosses - who say they investigated the complaints and found no evidence - stressed there are now many more safeguards in place to protect children in care and had offered the complainant access to counselling.

"I went into care to be protected - but they didn't care," claimed the man, who now lives alone in a council flat in the city. "I am outraged at what's happened. It's had a big impact on my life. I want justice to be done, I want them to pay for it. If I get money, it won't change my life, it's just a consolation."

The man went into care at the age of ten because his grandmother, who was bringing him up, could no longer cope.

He blames Bradford Council social services for placing him in a boy's home at Barkerend Road with older youths.

But Mike Stow, social services assistant director, said: "These allegations have been investigated in conjunction with the police but the homes where he lived closed 20 years ago and we have been unable to find any evidence to support them.

"We have arranged for him to receive access to independent counselling. I am always concerned at any suggestion that a young person has not received appropriate care, but there are now more safeguards in place - there is now a formal complaint scheme, regular inspections of homes, and each young person has a social worker and independent visitors, so they can raise any concerns."

The complainant says an older teenager forced him to perform sex acts. He has since reported his attacker to police who conducted a full investigation and passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, who decided not to prosecute.

Later the man was housed at the Beaconsfield Road children's home in Clayton.

Here, he claims:

l He was assaulted by a member of staff, who has since been reported to police

l He was forced to eat meat dishes such as toad in the hole and corn beef hash

l As a punishment he was stripped and made to stand face to the wall, only wearing a small towel.

Because of the harsh regime he ran away several times, sleeping rough in people's gardens and stealing bottles of milk to drink.

At the age of 14 he returned to live with his grandmother in Frizinghall and attended Rhodesway School but was so far behind with his schoolwork he left with no qualifications.

As a result, he has only ever been able to find temporary or unskilled work.

The Bradford man has now had his legal aid withdrawn after two years of his battle but is appealing against this.

And he is hoping Nottingham-based lawyer Bill Uppal, a specialist in care home compensation claims, will now take up his case.

Mr Uppal is bringing cases on behalf of victims of the North Wales children's home sex abuse scandal.

So far he has been successful in winning payouts of between £1,000 and £190,000 for his clients.

Confirming he had heard of the case, Mr Uppal said: "I understand he has had his Legal Aid pulled and is now exploring other avenues. This is a complex area of law and the difficulty is you are a small soul up against a large public authority."

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