A man has been awarded £54,923 compensation for the abuse he suffered while attending a Jesuit-run college.
Patrick Raggett was a victim of Father Michael Spencer, a teacher at Preston Catholic College in Lancashire. It transpired in court that Father Spencer had died.
Mr Raggett, speaking in court, said that due to the abuse, his marriage failed, he took to binge drinking, and suffered four years under achievement at work.
During the years 1970 and 1974 it was alleged the priest observed and photographed Mr Raggett naked, and touched him in an inappropriate manner. He was the victim’s form tutor and coach of the football team which Mr Raggett captained.
Though the abuse was not penetrative in nature and no physical harm was caused, Mr Raggett said he felt violated, dread, isolated, and humiliated.
Mr Raggett is now aged 54 and said he did not connect the failings of his life with the abuse until he had therapy in 2005. The therapy followed a mental breakdown.
In 2009, governors of the school rejected the compensation claim by saying it had come too late. Mrs Justice Swift ruled against them, allowing Mr Raggett to launch his legal case.
The defence for the school questioned the credibility of long term psychological problems and his failings as being related to the abuse. They argued it was down to the environment he worked in and hereditary factors.
Though Mr Raggett did not receive the £5m he hoped for, he was given £40,000 compensation for pain and suffering and his expenses were compensated, which included the cost of therapy.
The judge said: “I am well aware that the conclusions I have reached in my judgment will be disappointing to the claimant and that its contents may cause him some distress.
“There is no doubt that he was the victim of an insidious form of abuse involving a grave breach of trust and that he has suffered significantly as a result.
“As a result, he is deserving of sympathy.”
A man has been awarded £54,923 compensation for the abuse he suffered while attending a Jesuit-run college.
Patrick Raggett was a victim of Father Michael Spencer, a teacher at Preston Catholic College in Lancashire. It transpired in court that Father Spencer had died.
Mr Raggett, speaking in court, said that due to the abuse, his marriage failed, he took to binge drinking, and suffered four years under achievement at work.
During the years 1970 and 1974 it was alleged the priest observed and photographed Mr Raggett naked, and touched him in an inappropriate manner. He was the victim’s form tutor and coach of the football team which Mr Raggett captained.
Though the abuse was not penetrative in nature and no physical harm was caused, Mr Raggett said he felt violated, dread, isolated, and humiliated.
Mr Raggett is now aged 54 and said he did not connect the failings of his life with the abuse until he had therapy in 2005. The therapy followed a mental breakdown.
In 2009, governors of the school rejected the compensation claim by saying it had come too late. Mrs Justice Swift ruled against them, allowing Mr Raggett to launch his legal case.
The defence for the school questioned the credibility of long term psychological problems and his failings as being related to the abuse. They argued it was down to the environment he worked in and hereditary factors.
Though Mr Raggett did not receive the £5m he hoped for, he was given £40,000 compensation for pain and suffering and his expenses were compensated, which included the cost of therapy.
The judge said: “I am well aware that the conclusions I have reached in my judgment will be disappointing to the claimant and that its contents may cause him some distress.
“There is no doubt that he was the victim of an insidious form of abuse involving a grave breach of trust and that he has suffered significantly as a result.
“As a result, he is deserving of sympathy.”
