Our specialist Abuse team have secured a settlement for a group of women who were secretly filmed and photographed by their drama teacher.
Police informed the six young women that Russell Singleton had taken indecent images of them using the bathroom while visiting his home for school performance rehearsals. They were teenagers at the time.
Mr Singleton worked at Alfreton Grange Arts School, and was jailed in April 2013 for three years and two months after admitting to more than 20 sex offences, including sexual activity with a teenager.
During the investigation, police seized 24 videos and more than 300 images he had created over a ten-year period.
Our specialist abuse team has secured a total settlement of £70,000 from Derbyshire County Council for the six young women.
Raman Dhillon, the solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who represented the clients, said:
"While nothing can change the terrible ordeal they have been through, we hope that this settlement will go some way towards ensuring they can continue to access the counselling and other support they have needed since learning of Mr Singleton’s appalling actions."
Irwin Mitchell were able to secure a settlement due to a major High Court ruling last year, in which a judge concluded that those affected by non-physical abuse - such as via text message, or being the subject of indecent images - should be awarded damages.
Raman added:
"The ruling last year was a huge step forward and has ensured that those affected by a truly shocking abuse of trust are able to access the help they need to come to terms with what has been committed against them."
"It is incredibly important that those responsible for such horrendous activity are properly held to account for their actions and that survivors do not suffer in silence."
If you or a loved one has been the victim of physical or sexual abuse, our specialist abuse solicitors could help you get justice and claim compensation. See our Physical and Sexual Abuse Claims page for more information.
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