THIRTEEN men emotionally, physically or sexually abused while pupils at a Herefordshire boarding school have launched a High Court claim for compensation.
The claim arises out of investigations into abuse at Wessington Court, Woolhope, between 1973-1983 - one of the biggest criminal inquiries undertaken in the county.
Former Wessington Court headmaster Dennis Eagles and housemaster Patrick Duggan are serving long prison sentences for sex attacks on boys.
Peter Garsden, co-ordinating the claim for Cheshire-based solicitors Abney Garsden McDonald, said victims had until December 5 to register.
Mr Garsden said the claim - likely to be heard next summer - had several potential defendants ranging from Eagles himself to the authorities that sent boys with behavioural problems to the school.
Tribunal
Herefordshire Council could be drawn into the action if it was found to have inherited any duty of care issues relating to Wessington Court from the old Herefordshire County Council or the former Hereford and Worcester County Council, said Mr Garsden.
The investigation emerged out of the long-running tribunal examining allegations of abuse in children's homes across North Wales.
Accusations relating to the school - and specifically housemaster Patrick Duggan - were passed to Herefordshire CID in 1997.
l The Wessington Court Action Group can be contacted through the Abney Garsden McDonald website at www.abneys.co.uk/wessingtoncourt.htm
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