Worksop man traumatised by sexual abuse at hands of foster carer Patrick Gallagher wins settlement

Jordan Scott, 25, has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since he was abused by Patrick Gallagher in July 2004.

Gallagher, then age 60 from Mansfield, was jailed for life at Nottingham Crown Court in May 2011 after admitting more than 50 charges related to the abuse of 16 vulnerable boys, including Jordan, between 1998 and 2010.

Jordan instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his case and help him access support.

Jordan, of Carlton in Lindrick, Worksop, has waived his right to anonymity, and joined his legal team in calling on anyone else affected by abuse to not suffer in silence.

It comes after Irwin Mitchell secured him an undisclosed settlement from Nottinghamshire County Council, under whose care Jordan was.

Tom Fletcher, a specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who supports abuse survivors, said: “This is yet another truly devastating case in which a person in a position of power and trust has gone on to abuse it in the worst possible way.

“The shocking details and extent of Gallagher’s crimes are well-documented and it is absolutely essential that efforts continue to ensure that all of those he preyed upon receive support.

“We hope Jordan can now try and look to the future the best he can.”

Jordan was placed with Gallagher, who also volunteered as a swimming coach and at a youth club, for two weeks for respite care.

He was the only child staying with him at the time and suffered abuse throughout his stay.

Jordan, who now lives with his partner Amy Dane, 24, said: “It remains incredibly difficult to talk about and the whole experience undoubtedly has had a traumatic impact on me.

“Through the years I’ve suffered with so many different things – suicidal thoughts, weight loss and low moods. In more recent times I’ve developed anxiety, nightmares and panic attacks.

“I don’t know if I will ever truly come to terms with what happened but I am determined to try and not let this man ruin my life. I want to try and look to the future.

“I just hope that by speaking out others who have been abused feel that they don’t have to go through what happened to them alone.

“Issues like abuse are under the spotlight more than ever before and people can be confident that others will listen to their concerns.”

Colin Pettigrew, Nottinghamshire County Council's corporate director for children and young people said: “This council has previously apologised publicly to all victims and survivors of abuse while in our care and privately to individuals both in writing and/or in person for the significant failures in the past to protect them as children.

"Jordan Scott should have been safe in our care and it is clear that he wasn’t and therefore it is only right and proper that we both apologise for that and compensate him accordingly.

"I would wish to repeat previous acknowledgements of the courage of people who as children were the victims of serious sexual crimes against them and who now as adult survivors have come forward.

“We know, however, that apologies – or any settlement - cannot change the past or take away the effect of the abuse people suffered."