Judge Crispin Masterman -formally cleared Gina and Tim Williams, whosethree children were put into care for two years as a result of theallegations, of any wrongdoing and criticised social services forfailing to follow correct procedures and carry out a proper assessmentof the family. He also questioned the way medical examinations in sexabuse cases are carried out in the UK.
In May 2004 Mr Williams went upstairs in his Newport home to see an11-year-old boy lying on top of his five-year-old daughter. Both werenaked from the waist down. The police were then called and, after amedical examination claimed the girl had been abused, the Williams'sthree children were put into care.
However, after Cardiff Civil Justice Court heard from Dr AstridHeppenstall-Heger, an American child sex abuse expert, who said therewas no evidence of abuse, the charges against the couple weredismissed.
Speaking after the hearing, Heppenstall-Heger was highly critical ofBritish medical procedures. "I certainly think (the UK) needs to stepback and re-examine where they put the emphasis, and their efforts toprotect children. Certainly the emphasis cannot be in just looking at amedical exam as the definitive reason for removing children from thecare of their parents," she said.
Robin Tolson QC, the Williams's barrister, claimed the case could"affect many families who have been victims of the same kind ofmisdiagnosis".
"This case is not about the failings of one local authority or onedoctor, although there were serious failings," he said. "This case isabout a set of nationally applied diagnostic criteria. They should bereconsidered by the medical powers that be immediately so that the samemistakes are not repeated."
Mr Williams said that the family's treatment had been terrible and theywere considering taking legal action against Newport City Council.
"They didn't keep us in the picture, they would have meetings without usbeing invited, and they would make decisions without telling us," hesaid. "There's got to be changes in the way they do their job."
In a statement, Newport City Council apologised to the family but saidit had acted in "good faith".
"The local authority deeply regrets the removal of these children fromtheir parents and home, and we are already carrying out a full anddetailed internal review to ensure that any lessons can be learned andfully taken on board," it said.
