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	Man, 86, Claims Abuse 75 Years Ago By Steve Wright Telegraph & Argus [United Kingdom] August 15, 2006 http://www.thisisbradford.co.uk/news/tibnews/display.var.878 640.0.man_86_claims_abuse_75_years_ago.php A pensioner claims he was sexually abused by a teacher at a Catholic school in Bradford 75 years ago. The 86-year-old Bradford man said he was indecently assaulted by a member of the same Christian Brotherhood at the centre of sexual abuse allegations at a Catholic children's home in East Yorkshire. More than 140 men are pursuing a civil claim for compensation against the De La Salle Order of Christian Brotherhood, which ran the St William's children's home in Market Weighton, and the Diocese of Middlesbrough, which owned it, over sexual abuse allegations between 1962 and 1992. The claimants include seven men from Bradford, three of whom have come forward since the Telegraph & Argus revealed the compensation fight last week. The principal of the home, Brother James Carragher, 68, is serving a 14-year prison sentence for abusing 22 boys. The 86-year-old told the T&A he was sexually abused by a Brother who taught him swimming at St Mary's School in East Parade, Bradford, which was run by the De La Salle Brotherhood, when he was 11 years old in the early 1930s. "I did a lot of competition swimming for the school and on one occasion I was abused by this teacher in the staff toilet on the pretext of giving me a massage as preparation for my swimming," said the man, who does not want to be identified. "Afterwards he told me not to tell anybody about the massage and I didn't. The Catholic religion was built on fear and I was scared to death to say anything. "I got out of the Catholic religion when I was 15. I have lived a normal life and been married and had two children. But this has always been at the back of my mind. It is only now I feel able to speak out about it, because it needs stopping. "Abuse seems to be rife and I don't think these people should have contact with children in any shape or form." The man has contacted David Greenwood, the solicitor handling the civil compensation claims. Mr Greenwood, of Jordans in Dewsbury, said his case highlighted that the problem had been there for many decades. "I am planning to see this man to take a statement from him," said Mr Greenwood. "I am not sure I can help him because it was so long ago but it is an interesting potential link. He is anxious his story is told." Mr Greenwood would like to hear from anyone who claims to have been abused at the home. Call him on (01924) 457171. e-mail: steve.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk
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