A protest over the alleged treatment of four men with learning disabilities by Essex County Council's Social Services department was staged outside County Hall, Chelmsford, yesterday (Thursday).

More than a dozen protesters proclaiming ''Free the Hanningfield Four'' handed out leaflets claiming that 19-year-old twins Matthew and Nicholas, Danny, 26, and Tony, 25, all adoptive children of carer Jeanette Roberts, were being held against their wishes by social services.

The four men were taken from the Family in Trust Home, founded by Mrs Roberts, by social services during a combined dawn police raid, codenamed operation Camberley, in November 1998.

Child cruelty charges against Mrs Roberts have since dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service and the protesters say the men, who share her surname, should be allowed to return to their mother.

Family in Trust supporter Mrs Sarah Denny, of Galleywood, said: "They all want to return to their home and all the time they are away is damaging to their well being. We have been trying to get them back for two years, perhaps they will take notice now we are on the streets protesting."

Her views were shared by Evan Gough, of Chelmsford, who agreed: "They are all adults and should be treated on that basis."

Mrs Marion Watmore, of Moulsham Lodge, claimed: "We are getting increasingly concerned for them, they are being held illegally. They were never asked if they wanted to leave their home, they were just taken away by social services who won't let them come back."

Head of Learning Disability Services, Mr Leo Bishop, commented: "I cannot talk about specific people because I am bound by confidentiality. We have a policy and a strategy described as The Way Ahead which guides the way we work with adults who have learning disabilities in Essex and within that context, as the head of department, I am confident that we are working within its principals."

Town protest: Placard-waving protesters outside County Hall, Chelmsford on Thursday.

By Steve Clow

Reporter's e-mail: steve.clow@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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