I was made to eat dog biscuits off the floor - pupils speak out after school abuse payouts

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. I was made to eat dog biscuits off the floor - pupils speak out after school abuse payouts5 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleBrendon WilliamsBBC WalesBBCRhiannon had a pint of blackcurrant juice poured over her head by a member of staffBeing forced to eat dog biscuits off the floor was part of life for young children at an educational referral unit, former pupils say . One was left with a fear of football after being pelted with "rock-solid" balls, while another had a pint of blackcurrant juice poured over her head. And they say this wasn't even punishment - it was fun for the staff.

When pupils were disciplined at Canolfan Brynffynnon in Y Felinheli, some could also expect to be locked in a dark toilet or have their nose flicked until it bled. Cyngor Gwynedd admitted abuse took place and has apologised to victims. Two former staff members allegedly involved have strongly denied the allegations.

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Rhiannon Evans, who was 10 when she was sent, and Levi Lewis, who was four, are among 21 people who solicitor Katherine Yates said are currently pursuing claims. Two agreed a settlement of £10,000 with the local authority for treatment they say they suffered from staff. She is calling for a public inquiry into the council's running of schools, saying the current case comes "hot on the heels" of the jailing of paedophile headmaster Neil Foden.

"Every day there was something going on, from kids dragged down a corridor to kids being made to eat dog biscuits from a floor," said Rhiannon, now 27. "I do remember a certain incident where they threw a biscuit on the floor and they told me to eat it. "I remember the exact biscuit.

It was a Bourbon chocolate biscuit. "Rhiannon EvansRhiannon Evans' memories of her childhood are tinged with sadness after her time at the unitCanolfan Brynffynnon closed in 2014, following allegations of mistreatment of pupils by staff. This was six years after Rhiannon, from Caernarfon, was sent there because of "behavioural issues" at her primary school.

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She puts it down to being bullied because she was fostered by her grandparents and her life was "different to everyone else's". But from the moment Rhiannon arrived at Brynffynnon, she described "feeling like a peasant", with a member of staff pouring a pint of blackcurrant juice over her head "simply for their entertainment". "I was sticky all afternoon," she said.

"I smelt all afternoon and I went home and my grandmother put me straight in a bath. "But the smell of blackcurrant juice, it lingered for a good few days. "GoogleRhiannon hopes her story acts as as wake-up call for the local authority, and questions if all children in Gwynedd are safe Rhiannon said children who made progress at the unit were allowed to start re-visiting their main school.

However, if they got bad reports there, they were punished on their return to Brynffynnon. "And that could be from getting locked in a bathroom with the light switched off," Rhiannon added.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.