High Court awards Bryn Alyn child abuse victims damages

Thirteen victims of child abuse have been awarded damages
totalling more than £300,000 by the high court.

The victims, who were all former residents of children’s homes
in North Wales and Shropshire run by the privately owned Bryn Alyn
Community, received compensation ranging from £5,000 to
£47,000 for abuse that took place between 1973 and 1991.

Bryn Alyn was run by former managing director, John Allen, who
was convicted in 1995 of six offences of indecent assault on
residents and jailed for six years.

The company went into voluntary liquidation in 1997.

“This is a victory for the claimants who were required to prove
everything including the abuse. While the judgement is in favour of
the claimants – a recognition that the system of care was wholly
inappropriate and that the abuse took place – the funds awarded by
the judge in each claim are capable of review by the Court of
Appeal,” said Billhar Singh Uppal, solicitor for the claimants.

He added: “Permission to appeal has been given in three cases
and each of the remaining claimants will consider the question of
appeal as to damages.”