Malcolm Johnson, head of our Abuse Claims department, has just recovered a five-figure sum for a former pupil at a private school, who was subjected to a terrifying campaign of abuse by the head teacher, using text messages to her mobile phone.
About our client
Our client was an 18 year old who was at a private school, Ruthin School in Wales.
Whilst she was there, the head teacher, Toby Belfield began sending her inappropriate texts. His messages and his behaviour caused her to have a breakdown.
Our client bravely reported Mr Belfield to the police and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. This resulted his sacking and an Ofsted inquiry, which involved representatives of the Welsh Government as well as the Care Inspectorate Wales.
Sadly, the police declined to prosecute Mr Belfield and it later emerged that he could not be struck off the Teaching Register, because he was a non-qualified teacher.
A note from Malcolm Johnson
“This case is another demonstration of the fact that abuse using social media is just as damaging as any other kind of abuse, and also that the law allows the survivor to take out a compensation claim against the institution that employed the abuser. This may be their only recourse to justice, when – as so often happens now – the police and the Crown Prosecution Service decline to bring a prosecution. My client showed incredible courage, by refusing to give up and holding the school to account. She now awaits an apology and an offer of a meeting with the governors of Ruthin School.”
