FIVE former members of staff will escape criminal charges over sexual abuse allegations at a Winchester children’s home in the 1960s and 1970s, the Hampshire Chronicle can reveal.

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided there was not enough evidence to prosecute and, in one case, it was not in the public interest as the accused was elderly and in poor health.

A number of other accused men were found to have died.

But Hampshire County Council, which ran former Winton House off Andover Road, an approved school for boys, could still face compensation claims from at least 30 men for alleged abuse, including rape.

Winton House, now demolished, was a Home Office approved school for boys aged between 11 and 16. Children were sent there by the juvenile courts and social services.

A major criminal investigation was re-opened in April 2013 after the Hampshire Chronicle revealed former pupils had launched compensation claims for sexual and physical abuse that prompted other victims, now aged in their 50s and 60s, to contact the police.

One victim, 53, said: “Most boys never recovered. The memories and experiences never leave you. I was quite disturbed when I left and was in and out of prison. I had no respect for myself or others.”

He accused the CPS of double standards for prosecuting celebrities for less serious historic sexual offences while dropping the Winton House case.

“I feel let down. The only people who have come out on top are the ex-staff and older boys who carried out the abuse and got away with it.”

Files on five former members of staff were sent to the CPS to consider at the end of a 14-month criminal investigation, codenamed Operation Preserve. The probe involved 16 victims and 12 suspects.

A dedicated team of police officers reviewed thousands of documents, including some from the first police investigation in 2002.

Letters from Chief Constable Andy Marsh were hand-delivered to victims informing them of the CPS decision not to prosecute. In a letter to one ex-pupil, the police chief informed him his abuser had died.

He wrote: “Please be assured that the investigating team do not doubt what you have reported. But the passage of time and the health of past staff members have proved to be a hindrance to the investigation.

“The outcome of the criminal investigation does not prevent you from taking civil action against the school should you wish to do so.”

The ex-pupil, now aged 52, said: “I didn’t know that he was dead, that information alone makes me feel happy he is not alive on this earth.

“Part of me feels like he got away with it but the police did what they could. I feel angrier with the council for putting me in danger as a boy.”

The police probe came 12 years after the first police investigation which resulted in the jailing of former gardener, Michael Park, for indecently assaulting three pupils in the 1970s.

Park was the only member of staff to face charges although others were investigated. The county council settled out of court with his victims.

Charles Derham, of Hampshire-based Verisona Solicitors, who is co-ordinating the ex-pupils claims, called on the council “to do the right thing” and settle out of court again. Claims include damage for actual assaults, for psychiatric injuries later in life and loss of earnings.

Mr Derham said: “It is very frustrating because the police thought they had enough evidence to prosecute. Regardless of age, these men should face trial for what they did.

“But it is out of police hands once it is referred to the Crown Prosecution Service which looks at the bigger picture and whether it is in the public interest to go to trial.”

In a statement, Hampshire Constabulary said: “Whilst we accept the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision that no further action will be taken on this case, we emphasise with the victims and will continue to work with the CPS and victims of child abuse to provide the best possible care and service.”

The CPS Wessex Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “Having examined all the evidence, the CPS concluded that for the majority of allegations there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

“In relation to one allegation made against one of the suspects, due to their advanced age and very poor health, it was deemed not in the public interest to prosecute.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “As there are ongoing civil proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”