Second 'abuse' victim speaks out

The allegations mostly date back to alleged incidents in the 1950s

Police reviewing an investigation into claims of abuse at a children's home have spoken to a second alleged victim.

Reg Tungatt, 59, from Portsmouth, has provided detectives with a map detailing holes dug at Cosham's Children's Cottage Home in the 1950s.

Hampshire police started a review of a 2006 investigation into claims of sexual and physical abuse at the home after fresh allegations last week.

Police say their inquiry has no links to the ongoing investigation in Jersey.

Mr Tungatt said he was taken into care at the home in 1956, aged eight, and stayed there for three years.

He told the BBC that he has given the police a map of two locations - in a wood and near an orchard - where he says he saw "suspicious" holes dug.

Any claims are looked at on their own merit Spokeswoman, Hampshire police

"I'm not saying there's definitely anything there but I hope they will at least investigate," he said.

Les Cummings, 63, also from Portsmouth, first went to police to ask them to look again at their earlier investigation into the claims of 21 men and women.

The Crown Prosecution Service examined allegations against the centre but decided not to prosecute because 17 of the alleged abusers had died and there was insufficient evidence against the remaining three.

But both men claim that a number of children were taken from their dormitories during the night and disappeared.

Mr Cummings, who has an ongoing claim for compensation from the city council, told BBC South's Inside Out programme that he wanted every child at the home "to be accounted for".

He claims he suffered years of physical abuse at the home during the 1950s.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire Constabulary said "any claims are looked at on their own merit".

"The police have no plans to dig up any sites in Portsmouth, and continue to hold the position that there are no links between allegations made in reference to the Children's Cottage Home in Cosham and the ongoing investigation in Jersey," she added.

Portsmouth City Council said while it sympathised with the alleged victims' suffering it could not accept liability for any compensation claim.

The full story will be broadcast on Inside Out South at 1930 GMT on 7 March, on BBC One.