Child victims of paedophile doctor Myles Bradbury continue to suffer ‘catastrophic psychological injuries’ – leaving some so damaged they are considered at risk of serious self-harm – a solicitor handling compensation claims says.
Bradbury is currently serving a lengthy jail sentence for abusing 18 victims aged between 10 and 16 over a four-and-a-half year period, during his time working for Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
The paediatric consultant haematologist pleaded guilty to 25 offences including sexual assault, voyeurism and possessing more than 16,000 indecent images when jailed in December 2014.
Hudgell Solicitors revealed individual damages settlements of up to £35,000 have been secured from the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in relation to six young boys who were abused by Bradbury.
Hudgell Solicitors also revealed that legal action has included damages claims on behalf of the families of Bradbury’s child victims, resulting in 15 successful cases in which compensation has now been awarded.
Hudgell Solicitors said “It is highly significant that, following our legal representation, and despite their being no legal precedent or law for it, we have secured damages for all of the families we have represented in the case, recognising the huge impact Bradbury’s offending had not only on the children themselves, but also their wider families and the devastating impact it has had on their lives.”
Ongoing cases include children who have suffered ‘catastrophic psychological injuries’
We added that eight ongoing cases relating to children, including a number where they have suffered ‘catastrophic psychological injuries’, continue as damages ‘reflective of the psychological impact Bradbury’s offending had’ are sought.
“Make no mistake, for each and every abused child we are working with of Myles Bradbury, the abuse they have suffered at his hands will be something they can never forget and never fully recover from,” we added.
“Children have been unable to speak about it to their families to this day and here we are supporting one family who are being forced to move home just so they are able to watch their poor boy constantly and make sure he doesn’t take his own life.
“Bradbury’s actions have had a catastrophic impact on many lives, which show no sign of improving for some children. They may never improve.
“Having spent a great deal of time with these children and their families, I have seen the massive repercussions of Bradbury’s offending. Parents still question how it was ever able to happen, and why they were unable to protect their children.
“The reality is that Bradbury was extremely calculated in gaining the trust of all and manipulating his position of trust to get to vulnerable children and get them alone.
“It is only right that these children be compensated by the Hospital Trust for what happened so they may access professional treatment to try and restore their lives and re-engage back into society. It may be the only chance they have to try and get their lives back.
“Sadly the toll of Bradbury’s actions continues to consume the existence of so many, despite treatment. It can’t change the fact though that he was able to destroy many family lives, and the lives of those so young.”
Mother of victim says 17-year-old son has been left ‘suicidal’ with his ‘life destroyed’
The mother of one victim, who was abused between the ages of 10 and 12, says Bradbury’s actions have left her son, now 17, suicidal.
The situation has become so bad that they are now having to move to live with other family members to ensure he can constantly be watched, so the risk never becomes a reality.
She said: “Myles Bradbury destroyed our beautiful boy’s life, so much so that I can’t see any way that he’ll ever recover.
“He is so bad that we live in fear of him committing suicide. We have to watch him 24 hours a day. We check on him the first thing every day when we wake to see that he is still alive. If he is a bit late getting up we are worried that he will have done something terrible.
“It is completely heart-breaking. He hides away pretty much all day and refuses to leave the house.
“He said to me ‘I don’t want to live any longer’. I know he needs his family around him at all times. Whilst he has us around I hope he will be ok, but I feel that if we were not around, he’d do something awful.”
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