Compensation for abused residents

People with learning difficulties who suffered a “regime of
punishment” in which they were raped and abused could receive more
than £1m in compensation.

The damages action was brought against Buckinghamshire Council by
54 residents of Stoke Place Mansion House in Stoke Poges who had
suffered at the hands of care home owner Gordon Rowe.

The group’s counsel, Elizabeth Ann Gumbel QC, said the extent of
abuse over 10 years was “difficult to ascertain because of the
difficulty in communicating with some of the residents who had
learning difficulties”.

Gumbel said regular inspections had been carried out by the council
but added that “further investigations” would have exposed the
ill-treatment at the homes.

Director of Voice UK Kathryn Stone said: “It is a really good
outcome.

“If local authorities understand that it is expensive not to
protect people properly, they might just start making sure they are
safe.”

Rowe committed suicide before the case reached court.

Meanwhile, five disabled children who were sexually, physically and
emotionally abused by a special support assistant at a special
needs school managed by West Sussex Council have won damages of
more than £122,500 at the High Court. The council admitted
liability.