Abuse Victims Move a Step Closer to Compensation Payments from the Middlesbrough Catholic Diocese

By Graeme Hetherington
Northern Echo
June 6, 2013

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10469633.Abuse_victims_move_a_step_closer_to_compensation_payments_from_the_Middlesbrough_Catholic_diocese/

VICTIMS awaiting compensation for abuse suffered at a Catholic children’s home have moved a step closer to reaching resolution.

In one of the largest abuse cases the country has seen, more than 170 men are seeking compensation following claims of physical and sexual abuse at St William's Children's Home in Market Weighton, East Yorkshire, between 1958 and 1992.

As part of an investigation into the claims, James Carragher, former principal of St William's, was jailed in 2004 for 14 years for a series of sex crimes against young boys.

St William's - a home for boys aged ten to 16 with behavioural issues - was owned by the Roman Catholic diocese of Middlesbrough but employed a number staff from the De La Salle Brotherhood, including Carragher.

Last year the Supreme Court ruled that both organisations should share responsibility for the ?8m compensation claim.

Today (Thursday, June 6) in Leeds, Caroline Chandler of Switalskis’ Child Abuse Department appeared at a case management conference, representing more than ninety of the one hundred and seventy claimants.

His Honour Judge Gosnall directed that 114 cases should be proceeded with, with the aim of reaching settlements with the joint defendants by March 2014, hopefully avoiding the need to continue to trial.

Ms Chandler said, “I am really pleased with the outcome of today’s hearing. It is a step forward towards the settlement of the cases within the Group and closure for all those individuals who have made complaints.”