WCC v Steer [2019] EWHC 1874 (QB) (15 July 2019)

WCC v Steer [2019] EWHC 1874 (QB) (15 July 2019)

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the Defendant committed all seven alleged incidents of sexual abuse against the Claimant, not just those for which he was criminally convicted. The Defendant's denials and alternative explanations were rejected as implausible. The court accepted the psychiatric evidence that the abuse caused the majority of the Claimant's psychiatric injuries, including PTSD. Damages were assessed accordingly, including aggravated damages for the Defendant's persistent denial and conduct.

Citation
[2019] EWHC 1874
Parties
Claimant: WCC (anonymized as Mrs C); Defendant: Allan Steer
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 July 2019
Procedural Posture
Civil Claim for Damages (sexual Abuse) / Judgment After Trial on Liability and Quantum
Outcome
Judgment for the Claimant
Legal Topics
Sexual Abuse, Damages Assessment, Aggravated Damages, Causation of Psychiatric Injury, Standard of Proof (balance of Probabilities), Credibility of Witnesses
Tort Law Personal Injury Civil Procedure Sexual Abuse Damages Assessment Aggravated Damages Causation of Psychiatric Injury Standard of Proof (balance of Probabilities) +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

WCC (anonymized as Mrs C)

Claimant

Allan Steer

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Claim for Damages (sexual Abuse) / Judgment After Trial on Liability and Quantum

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Defendant committed sexual abuse against the Claimant beyond the two criminal convictions
  2. 2 Whether the Defendant's conduct caused the psychiatric injuries claimed
  3. 3 Assessment of quantum for general, aggravated, and special damages

Ratio Decidendi

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the Defendant committed all seven alleged incidents of sexual abuse against the Claimant, not just those for which he was criminally convicted. The Defendant's denials and alternative explanations were rejected as implausible. The court accepted the psychiatric evidence that the abuse caused the majority of the Claimant's psychiatric injuries, including PTSD. Damages were assessed accordingly, including aggravated damages for the Defendant's persistent denial and conduct.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the Claimant

Orders

  • Defendant to pay the Claimant £79,755 in damages (including general, aggravated, special damages, and interest)
  • Defendant to pay the Claimant's costs, subject to detailed assessment if not agreed