Trial of Edlington attackers continues

The BBC reports that the trial of two brothers continues accused of a vicious series of attacks on two young boys. According to the report the boys were “known troublemakers” and being monitored by social services. A Safeguarding Children Board found that the attack could have been prevented.

Would the two boys have claims for compensation? Almost certainly they would be able to make claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Possibly they might be able to sue social

services for alleged breach of a duty of care, if the attackers’ history was known, although this would be very difficult. A similar issue was considered in the case of  X and Y versus the London Borough of Hounslow [2009] EWCA Civ 286  where the Court of Appeal decided that a local authority was not liable to vulnerable adults assaulted by local hooligans in their own home.

See BBC News