FIRST TEST CASES LOST IN MULTI-MILLION POUND ABUSE CLAIM AGAINST CATHOLIC DIOCESE

UNITED KINGDOM
The Tablet

by Megan Cornwell

A landmark abuse claim that could see the Diocese of Middlesbrough paying out millions of pounds in compensation has had three of its first test cases dismissed by a judge.

Five former students of a Yorkshire school owned by the Diocese and run by the De La Salle Brothers until its closure in 1992, are bringing a civil case against the Church at Leeds High Court.

In 2012 judges ruled that both the Diocese and the religious order were jointly liable for compensation claims that run into the millions.

Over 200 people allegedly suffered abuse while they were students at St William’s residential school in Market Weighton from 1970-1991. Earlier this year the school’s former principal and former chaplain were jailed for sex offences against children at the home, which educated boys with emotional and behavioural challenges.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.