Lawyers Keen To See That Survivors Are Given All The Help They Need By Local Authority

Specialist lawyers have praised the bravery of the five men who came forward and helped ensure that ex-Sheffield City Council boss Roger Dodds, was jailed for 16 years for forcing teenagers to engage in sex acts in order for them to get grant payments.

The abuse took place when Mr Dodds, 81, was working for Sheffield City Council’s education department between 1975 and 1993 and was responsible for providing grants to college and university students.

The court heard that Mr Dodds, of Cotswold Road, Sheffield, had used his position to abuse teenagers and force students to engage in sexual acts to obtain grant payments to help them pay for their education.

Sheffield City Council has said that it welcomes the fact that Mr Dodds has now been sentenced and brought to justice.

Luke Daniels, an expert abuse lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“We are glad to see that Sheffield City Council has welcomed the court’s verdict and subsequent sentencing.

“However, we call on the Council to ensure that it provides the five men who have shown tremendous bravery in coming forward, and any other potential survivors of Mr Dodds abuse, with the resources they need and ensure they are given any support they seek.” Luke Daniels - Partner