A FORMER Ipswich man has been forced to abandon his law suit which alleged the local authorities in Suffolk failed to protect him from being abused as a child.
A FORMER Ipswich man has been forced to abandon his law suit which alleged the local authorities in Suffolk failed to protect him from being abused as a child.
The 50-year-old was suing Suffolk County Council (SCC) and Hertfordshire County Council for up to �100,000 amid claims of sexual and physical assaults, as well as mental abuse.
As reported in the Evening Star on Tuesday, his case was due to be heard in the High Court in London on Monday.
However, the claimant and his wife said they dare not go ahead as they have been told their claim is likely to be thrown out as it was not brought within a three-year time span.
The man's wife said this would leave them facing crippling costs.
She said they started their legal action four years ago and have now been advised that there is a time limitation on such cases.
Even if they chose to fight for this to be set aside, there is no guarantee they would be successful in doing so.
The woman added if the case was thrown out before they could put their arguments of abuse forward, they would be liable for their own costs and those of the defence. These could total around �100,000.
The couple said this is a risk they were not prepared to take.
The woman said: “Although an out-of-court settlement was muted the defendant would not entertain that.
“It's extremely disappointing when you get this close to the trial and the claim falls down due to the time limitation. There's nothing else that can be done.
“My husband feels let down. It seemed as if nobody was listening to him when he was a child and nobody wants to listen to him now.”
The litigant was claiming damages against SCC for personal injuries and consequential losses suffered due to negligence and/or breach of duty.
He alleged SCC failed to keep and/or take him into care between 1960s and 1970s. He was also making a claim against Hertfordshire County Council following alleged sexual abuse while he was at an approved school in the 1970s.
Suffolk County Council declined to comment.
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