Case Study – Claim for grooming and abuse by teaching assistant

Jordans Solicitors represented a Claimant who alleged that he was groomed and suffered sexual abuse by a teaching assistant who worked at the primary school he attended. The grooming started when the Claimant was 6 years old at school. The Claimant started to visit her at home when he was 10 years old and the sexual assaults were suffered at her home.

The teaching assistant was convicted for the offences she committed against the Claimant.

The claim was denied as the Defendant alleged that they were not vicarious liable as the abuse of the Claimant. This was not connected to her role at the school, and the Claimant was at her home as he was a friend of the son.

Jordans was able to use the criminal trial judge’s sentencing remarks which countered the Defendant’s evidence.  The trial judge said that she had targeted the Claimant and followed him about all the time; the inference being that this took place at the school. He also discredited her family member’s statements.

The claim settled for £65,000.

Our client said: “At first it was something I'd never thought I'd come forward about my abuse. But I was surprised with how comforting and understanding Mark Crompton is and the staff I have spoken to. It's been a journey but a positive one! Thanks for all your help.”