PRESS RELEASE Solicitor-advocate Alan Collins of Havant solicitors Dyer Burdett & Co, has successfully negotiated compensation settlements for five men for the physical and sexual abuse they suffered in a children’s home forty years ago. Having taken proceedings in the High Court they received undisclosed damages in an out of court settlement. 

This is the latest settlement negotiated by Alan who also represented nine further victims who were compensated in late 2006 in respect of the abuse they had suffered. They too had taken proceedings in the High Court in order to obtain justice.

The abuse took place at the Berkshire County Council Council-run Green Field House in Berkshire between 1964 and 1970.

The home was then managed by the late Don Prescott, who is alleged to have abused the boys and rented them out to other paedophiles.

Alan said Mr.Prescott, a former soldier, rented the boys out to paedophiles as far afield as Leicester, London, Cambridge and Reading. “It was the centre of a paedophile ring numbering so many men that some of the boys lost count of those who abused them”.

The boys were at the home because they were considered “maladjusted” with problems at school or home.

He said, “They suffered the most horrendous abuse - it was the worst type of sexual abuse. They were filmed, photographed and forced to take part in the abuse”.

“What was surprising was that it went on for six years without anyone in authority taking any action”.

In order to win the case Alan, and his colleagues, had to find the evidence, which he describes as akin to “putting together a giant jigsaw, without a complete picture to guide them as to where to place the pieces”. This meant tracing witnesses, as well as perpetrators, who were scattered far and wide including the United States. This was a time-consuming task, but a worthwhile one, leading as it did to the payment of damages and costs by the County Council and most importantly giving the men the opportunity for the first time in many years to try and put the events behind them.

For those who are interested in the story Alan suggests you read “Abuse” - the true story of John Affleck.

John was a victim, and he explains in his fascinating book the effects of the abuse on him, and the journey he had to travel as a consequence.

The book is published by Verite CM Ltd of Worthing. ISBN: 1-904726-82-1

Alan Collins can be contacted on: 02392492472