Market Weighton abuse victim hails ruling

A children's home abuse victim who is eligible for part of a £8m compensation payout today insisted that 'it was never about the money'.

Rape victim Graham Baverstock spoke out after a judge ruled that the Roman Catholic Middlesbrough Diocese was responsible for running an East Riding children's home where 142 boys were abused.

The boys were sexually assaulted at St William's Community Home in Market Weighton between 1972 and 1990 in one of the country's biggest abuse cases.

At least 20 of the victims are now living in Hull.

A judge at Leeds Crown Court has ruled the Roman Catholic Middlesbrough Diocese was responsible for the home rather than the De La Salle Brothers, a Catholic order of lay teachers, who taught at it.

Now the 142 victims can finally seek an estimated £8m in damages from the church.

But Mr Baverstock, from Bridlington, told the Mail that those claiming are primarily seeking justice.

The 51-year-old said: "It is not all about compensation. It's about what they did to us. We were children and they subjected us to sustained physical sexual abuse and beatings. They neglected and traumatised us.

"I'm delighted the court has recognised the diocese was responsible.

"It should be ashamed for putting the victims through the most oppressive regime of brutality and sexual abuse.

"Not once have we had an apology. They have treated us with contempt.

"If there are more victims out there I urge them to come forward. There is no need to be scared any more."

Brother James Carragher, now 74, abused boys at the home between 1968 to 1990. He is serving a prison sentence.

Mr Baverstock claims he was raped by Carragher in 1973.