Former Sutton Valence School pupil settles claim for sexual abuse by teacher

Mr Barnes was chaplain at Sutton Valence School near Maidstone, Kent, between 1975 and 1987, and was a parish priest until 2001. He died in 2012 without ever being questioned by the police about abuse allegations.

The man who reported being abused by Mr Barnes when he was a pupil at Sutton Valence instructed Dino Nocivelli, abuse claims partner at law firm Leigh Day, to bring a civil case.

He wanted an acknowledgment that the abuse had taken place and that it was wrong.
 
Without a criminal conviction it was difficult to prove the abuse had taken place. However, the Leigh Day abuse claims team carried out extensive research and were able to speak to a significant number of men who also alleged sexual abuse by Mr Barnes. Others reported that Mr Barnes’ depraved acts were public knowledge at the school.

After a period of discussions with the Sutton Valence school legal team a settlement was agreed,  including compensation for the pain and suffering that the man continues to endure as a result of his abuse, along with the need for further therapy. The school also agreed to offer an apology.

The case settled without a confidentiality clause or gagging order, but the man has chosen to retain his anonymity to protect his personal life and his family.

Dino Nocivelli, who represented the man, said:

“The conclusion of this case and the disclosures of others who suffered abuse at the hands of Rev  Barnes has given my client a sense of closure and he now intends to use his compensation to help other abuse survivors.”