Greenwich Council pays compensation to care home resident who was raped and assaulted by staff

Greenwich City Council has paid compensation to a former resident of one of its care homes who was raped and physically assaulted by staff. The payment was made to a former resident of Frant Court Children’s Home, which was owned and managed by Greenwich City Council.

The home was located in East Sussex and cared for teenage girls from vulnerable backgrounds. The resident alleged that they were raped and physically assaulted by staff at the home.

A carer at the home, James Cruickshank Boyes, was convicted in 2011 of two counts of rape and 13 counts of sexual assault on female residents. However, lawyers for Andrew Grove and Co have claimed that their investigations have found that other staff members have also abused residents.

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The firm has reportedly interviewed witnesses about allegations of sexual and physical abuse at the home. The former resident who made the claim, known in the firm’s report by the pseudonym Rebecca, is said to have had “painful” memories of her time there. Andrew Grove and Co settled its claim against the council at the end of May this year after a court case lasting almost two years.

The lawyers claimed the council had prolonged Rebecca’s suffering by delaying the compensation payment. They said the authority had breached the agreement by making the agreed payment after the stipulated 21 days. Katherine Yates, of Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors, said while she was pleased some closure had been achieved for her client, she was unhappy about the delay.

In a statement, she said: “This is unacceptable and shows not only a disregard for basic contract law but also a disregard for my client, who suffered severe abuse during her time in the Frant Court and feels that she is still being abused as a result of this delay.”

Rebecca said she was very disappointed by the council’s inaction. She said she had wanted to put the abuse and memories from her time in the home behind her and wanted to use the settlement money to buy a mobility scooter. In a statement, she said: “I feel like I still count for nothing in the council’s eyes, just as I counted for nothing when I was in Frant Court.”

A Greenwich Council spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We take our responsibilities to the children in our care, both past and present, extremely seriously. Compensation has been paid and we apologise for the delay and any further distress and distress this has caused the survivor.”

Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors said the firm was encouraging Frant Court bereaved families who had not yet come forward to come forward by calling 01223 367133 or 07810 224545. Individuals can also come forward by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. They added that all claims would be funded on a “no win, no fee” basis.

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