Porter at Great Ormond Street children’s hospital, 55, is charged with ‘decades-long catalogue of sex crimes against young boys he groomed at work’
A porter at a world famous NHS children's hospital is appearing in court tomorrow morning having been charged with sexually abusing numerous children over the course of more than three decades.
Paul Farrell, 55, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in January, having been accused of grooming children he met though his work at Great Ormond Street Hospital before sexually abusing them.
Farrell, who began working at GOSH in the 1980s is facing 84 charges, including sexually assaulting children, indecent assault on a male, attempted rape and rape.
Paul Farrell, 55, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in January, having been accused of grooming children he met at Great Ormond Street Hospital before sexually abusing them, file photograph
Farrell will appear at Wood Green Crown Court tomorrow morning having been charged with almost 80 offences spread over the course of three decades, file photograph
He was also charged with paying for the sexual services of a child and making indecent photographs of a child.
Farrell, who is from Camden, north London, was sacked as soon as the allegations against him were made.
A spokesperson for Great Ormond Street Hospital told MailOnline: 'These are truly awful charges and we know that our hospital community, including our patient families, will have concerns or questions.
'Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, we cannot go into the details of the case, but we can confirm that the individual who has been charged was dismissed from the Trust and we are continuing to work closely with the police.
'Safeguarding children is fundamental to the care we provide. Our policies are in line with national best practice and include swift processes for managing concerns about staff when they are raised.
'If anyone is concerned by what they have read in the media, the NSPCC have a helpline available on 0800 101 996 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
'As this is an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to say anything further at this current time for legal reasons.'
A Scotland Yard spokesman told MailOnline Farrell was arrested in January 2020 and has been charged with a total of 84 offences.
According to Scotland Yard: 'The charges relate to seven victims, and alleged offences committed between 1985 and 2018.
'He is in custody, and is next due to appear at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, 27 November for a plea and directions hearing.
'Farrell was arrested on January 16, 2020, and first appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court upon charge. The ongoing investigation is being led by officers from the Central North Command Unit safeguarding team.'
Paul Farrell's charge sheet in full
Paul Farrell, 55, from Camden, is charged with the following offences (84 in total)