School ‘sex abuse victim’ in witness plea

John Brooke, 32, originally from Heckmondwike but now living in Huddersfield, had hoped he would not have to reveal his identity but discovered the school where the alleged abuse had taken place could not be named for legal reasons. “As I can’t tell people which school I was at when I was abused, I’ve been left with no choice but to waive my right to anonymity in the hope that people will remember my name – John Brooke - and what happened to me and others at this school in the early 1990s.”

Mr Brooke has undergone years of psychological treatment and counselling and was only first able to speak about his childhood ordeal last year. Mr Brooke, who is registered disabled, hopes that by coming forward he will trigger the memory of others who might be able to help corroborate his account of how he was abused for several years while under the care of the specialist school.

Mr Brooke joined the specialist school in 1991 because he suffered from emotional behavioural difficulties.

“While I was there I was sexually abused,” he said. “The abuse was regular and constant, and I’ve struggled to come to terms with it every day since.”

Mark Hatzer, a partner with Fentons Solicitors, which is representing him, urged anyone who remembered being at the specialist school with Mr Brooke, between 1991 and 1993, to come forward.

Anyone who attended school with Mr Brooke between 1991 and 1993, who witnessed any attacks over that time, or if they were subjected to any similar attacks, should contact Mark Hatzer at Fentons Solicitors on 0844 854 3078. .