By Stef Hall
Lancashire Evening Post
May 5, 2009
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Man-wins-right-to-sue.5234759.jp
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| Patrick Ragett has won right to pursue compensation claim |
A Preston man has won the right to sue the former Preston Catholic College for ?5m damages over alleged sexual abuse as a child.
Patrick Raggett, 50, was allegedly abused by a priest at the Jesuit-run school, which counts football pundit Mark Lawrenson among its former pupils, in the 1970s, the High Court heard.
He claimed this led him to suffer a breakdown, a failed marriage and problems with binge drinking.
The college governors argued that even if abuse occurred, the case was brought outside the legal time limit.
But a High Court judge has ruled Mr Raggett can proceed with his claim.
London's High Court previously heard how he was subjected to years of "insidious" abuse by Father Michael Spencer, a teacher at the college.
Mr Raggett claimed while he was naked, the priest measured him "to chart his growth", filmed him performing exercises, photographed him and touched him inappropriately.
He said he suffered years of under-achievement at work, a failed marriage and binge drinking – but did not link his experiences at the school until he had a breakdown in April 2005.
The High Court had heard how Mr Raggett said he had a golden childhood and had done exceptionally well at school until, in 1969, he went to the College, which "the Jesuits ruled with a rod of iron".
Father Spencer, taught French and religious education at the school from 1962 until 1980, died at the age of 76 in 2001.
The governors of the college, which closed in 1978, denied liability and say that even if the abuse occurred, which is not admitted, the case cannot proceed as it was brought years outside the legal time limit.
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