(UNITED KINGDOM)
Bracknell News [Reading, England]
February 4, 2023
By Daisy Waite
Sexual abuse survivors of former priest Michael Studdert who took indecent pictures of children are being urged to come forward.
The priest, who has now died, is thought to have abused children in England, Wales, Poland, Denmark and Italy.
Survivors of Studdert’s shocking crimes are being encouraged to take action during a compensation scheme which is set to close on April 28.
Studdert worked as a chaplain at Eagle House School in Sandhurst, Berkshire.
Specialist abuse law experts at Simpson Millar are representing a number of individuals who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of the former priest.
Head of the Abuse law team at Simpson Millar, Liam Goggin said: “This is a truly horrific case of abuse over a significant period of time, in multiple locations, and which undoubtably impacted the lives of many individuals.
“Money from the estate has been set aside specifically to help anyone who may have suffered sexual abuse from Michael Studdert, and we are currently working on behalf of a number of clients in order to secure compensation via the dedicated scheme, including one former pupil at Eagle House School.
“Of course, no amount of money will ever make up for the suffering that our clients have endured, but it is hoped that by bringing these claims it will give them some sense of justice.”
On three occasions between 1988 and 2006, Studdert was convicted of various charges relating to his possession of indecent images of children.
In 1988, he was convicted on four counts of possessing these images whilst working as a chaplain at Eagle House School in Berkshire.
Later in September 2006, Studdert pleaded guilty to 26 counts of possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children, with more than 100,000 explicit images having been found in his home.
The former Anglican Minister died in August 2017, leaving his £4.7m estate to a charity he had set up.
However, following his death the High Court found that there is a real prospect that Michael Studdert committed sexual offences which “may have given rise to personal injury claims against the deceased and hence his estate”.
As a result, the compensation scheme was set up, with the Court saying it wished to give victims notice of Studdert’s death, and the opportunity to seek legal redress for their pain and suffering.
Solicitors at Simpson Millar were later instructed by former Eagle House School pupils to make claims on their behalf via the compensation scheme.
The firm is now urging others to reach out for support as soon as possible, ahead of the April deadline.
Studdert also worked as Curate at All Saints and Martyrs, Langley, between 1966 and 1969, before joining All Saints in Fleet, Hampshire between 1969 and 1973.
Studdert was later banned by the Church of England from performing in any priestly capacity.
If you would like to talk to someone in complete confidence contact Simpson Millar’s abuse law team on 0345 357 9239.
Those who have been affected by sex abuse can recieve help and support by contacting 08088 010818.