Rehab centre's links to school may be probed by police (From Swindon Advertiser)

Rehab centre's links to school may be probed by police

4:50pm Thursday 29th October 2009 in

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POLICE could launch an investigation into the link between schoolgirls and a nearby drug rehabilitation centre following the death of a 16-year-old former pupil.

Kate Walsh, of Highworth, spiralled into heroin addiction after meeting drug addict Alex Charlamow, 27, who later became her boyfriend.

He was living in the Salvation Army drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre Gloucester House in the High Street, Highworth, when they met.

She attended the nearby Highworth Warneford School in Shrivenham Road but there is no suggestion that the school did not do all it could to protect pupils.

Yesterday, Kate’s best friend and fellow school pupil Amalia Morris claimed she knew of five relationships, including Kate’s, that had begun between Gloucester House residents and schoolgirls in 2003.

Amalia, 22, of Highworth, said: “There were five relationships I was aware of, that’s including Kate, that had begun through meeting people at Gloucester House.

“They didn't necessarily have relationships with them whilst at school, but the initial meeting was while they were at school.”

Kate was found dead in a squat on Manchester Road on January 3, 2004, after a suspected heroin overdose.

On Tuesday, as he concluded the inquest into Kate’s death, Swindon and Wiltshire coroner David Masters raised the issue of how schoolgirls had been allowed to mix with residents of Gloucester House.

In recording a narrative verdict, Mr Masters said: “How was it that Kate was allowed to associate with a resident at Gloucester House, particularly at her vulnerable age?”

Although he questioned the gaps in Swindon social services and the grey area in the treatment of 16 to 18-year-olds, Mr Masters was satisfied sufficient changes had been made following a serious case review.

He recommended that Wiltshire Police investigate the relationship that existed in 2003 between Highworth Warneford School and Gloucester House.

Giving evidence last week at the inquest at the former magistrates’ court in Trowbridge, Amalia Morris raised the relationship between the two premises.

Yesterday, she said schoolgirls walking home would often stop at a benched area known as the Podium opposite the Highworth Emporium, which was overlooked by Gloucester House.

She said Kate had never visited Alex at the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre and once Kate’s relationship with Alex was discovered by Gloucester House, his treatment was terminated and he left the premises.

Amalia said: “I respect the fact that they have problems in terms of drug and alcohol addiction but I don’t think it’s appropriate to have the rehab centre in a High Street.”

Highworth Warneford School was unavailable for comment despite attempts to contact the headteacher, chair of governors and parent-teacher associations.

Adrian Prior-Sankey, press officer for the Salvation Army for the South of England, said: “The Salvation Army did participate in the multi agency’s serious case review around the death of Kate Walsh and we understand these documents were submitted as part of the coroner’s inquiry.

“At the moment we only have media reports of the coroner’s report and before making any public statement on the inquest it is important that we have opportunity to see that report and to consider if there are any consequences for our services. We are seeking access to the coroner’s report.”

A Wiltshire police spokesman said: “We will take on board the recommendation laid out by the coroner. We will now liaise with both the school and Gloucester House to determine if there is any situation that requires further enquiries.”