Care home victims are awarded £780k

A group of vulnerable adults who were abused in Buckinghamshire
care homes have been awarded £781,000 damages – more than
£200,000 less than expected.

Lawyers for the group of 54 adults with learning difficulties sued
the council for the physical, sexual and emotional abuse they
endured at Stoke Place Mansion and Stoke Green House in Stoke Poges
between 1983 and 1994.

The homes were run by Gordon Rowe, who committed suicide in March
1996. Three other people were later convicted of neglect.

The group had been expected to be awarded more than £1m
damages, but the claimants’ solicitor said there were difficulties
assessing the impact of abuse on victims.

Council leader David Shakespeare said he realised the compensation
could not make up for the victims’ suffering but hoped it would
help “to enhance their future lives”.