Priest admits abusing children

A former Youth chaplain for the Diocese of Newcastle and Hexham, Father David Taylor, was recently jailed on 5 counts of child abuse against 3 children for 2 and half years. The acts had occurred between 1981 and 1989 when Father Taylor was based at the Sister of mercy Mission, in Seaham Harbour, east Durham.

So far a number of victims have come forward however the police believe there may well be others.

Victims of Father Taylor may be able to claim compensation against him personally. Normally claims for sexual assault must be brought by a person’s 21^st birthday, but the House of Lords has said, in the case of A v Hoare [2008] UKHL 6 that a person might be able to bring a late claim against their abuser in certain circumstances, for instance where there was a criminal conviction.

Father Taylor was employed by the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle , in which case the Diocese may be liable if they knew or should have known about his activities. In some circumstances, a local authority can be vicariously liable for sexual abuse committed by a care worker in a home for children. That is what was decided by the House of Lords in Lister and Others v Hesley Hall Ltd. [2001] UKHL 22.

Finally Father Taylor’s victims may well have a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, a government body set up to award compensation to victims of crime.

The best advice for any victim of childhood sexual abuse, who wants to find out about making a compensation claim, is that they should consult a solicitor who specialises in this difficult area, as soon as possible.

If you have been a victim of abuse at the hands of Father Taylor and wish to speak with us regarding a possible claim for child abuse compensation, please contact us on 020 8399 5272 or alternatively fill in our online contact form to the right.