DOZENS of men from the North-East are among more than 140 who have launched a multi-million pound sex abuse compensation claim against the Roman Catholic Church.
The action - one of the biggest of its kind ever lodged in the UK - centres on a church home owned by the Diocese of Middlesbrough.
St William's Community Home in Market Weighton, near Hull, was closed in 1992 when the scale of the abuse became known, and the principal is serving a 14-year sentence for abusing boys in his care.
It is alleged that a brutal regime of sexual and physical abuse went unchecked for almost 30 years at the former approved school on Humberside.
The solicitor co-ordinating the action today told The Northern Echo that many of the men who are claiming compensation were sent to the home as youngsters from Teesside, as well as Yorkshire.
* Read the full story in tomorrow's Northern Echo
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article