The solicitors at the centre of a civil law case against the Royal Borough of Greenwich are accusing the authority of prolonging the suffering of an abuse survivor by delaying paying damages.
After a protracted legal process taking nearly two years, the Royal Borough of Greenwich has finally settled a claim made by a former resident of Frant Court Children’s Home who was raped and physically assaulted by staff in the 1980s.
Frant Court was a children’s home in East Sussex for teenage girls from vulnerable backgrounds. It was owned and managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Solicitors Andrew Grove and Co have interviewed various witnesses regarding allegations of sexual and physical abuse at the home.
One care worker, James Cruickshank Boyes, was sentenced in 2011 for two counts of rape and 13 indecent assaults on female residents at the home. However, Andrew Grove and Co’s investigations have revealed that other members of staff were also abusing residents.
Rebecca (not her real name) was at Frant Court for over two years, from 1982 to 1984. She had bottled up the painful memories of her time there for many years until she felt compelled to do something about it. She instructed Andrew Grove and Co who were able to negotiate and settle her claim against the Royal Borough of Greenwich at the end of May 2024.
The basis of the agreement was that funds should have been paid by 21st June 2024. However, there is no sign of her damages arriving and no indication from the authority as to when they will be paid.
Katherine Yates from Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors said: “Although I am pleased that we have finally achieved some closure for my client, I am unhappy that the local authority is very late in paying damages to my client. Both sides agreed that payment would be made within 21 days. That is a contract, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich has breached it.
“This is unacceptable and displays a contempt not just for basic contract law but also for my client who suffered a great deal of abuse while at Frant Court and feels that she is still being abused as a result of this delay.”
Rebecca said: “I don’t understand why they are doing this to me. I wanted to put the abuse and memories behind me and move on. I am waiting for this money so I can purchase a mobility scooter which would really improve my quality of life.
“It has now been over a month and there is still no sign of my money arriving. It is very disappointing as apparently the council are in breach of contract.”
“I feel that I still don’t count for anything in the eyes of the council just as I did not count for anything when I was at Frant Court.”
Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors is still encouraging survivors from Frant Court who have yet to come forward to get in touch by telephone on 01223 367133 or 07810 224545 or by email at katherine@andrewgroveandco.com or charlotte@andrewgroveandco.com. All claims are funded on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.
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