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Bishop Peter Ball sex abuse victims sue Church of England | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Sex abuse victims of former Sussex bishop Peter Ball are suing the Church of England for hundreds of thousands of pounds. | |
Ball, 83, who admitted offences against 18 teenagers and young men in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, is being sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. | |
Lawyer David Greenwood who represents four victims said legal action had been lodged against the Chichester diocese | |
The Church of England has not yet commented. | |
Mr Greenwood, from Switalskis Solicitors, said given the "wealth of evidence" the latest legal action was unlikely to reach court and would probably end in a settlement with amounts varying between a few thousand pounds and hundreds of thousands of pounds. | |
But he added: "Obviously no amount of money will compensate for what happened to them and each claimant has different circumstances. | |
"Some have lost opportunities for careers. Some have had lots of anguish and torment personally." | |
He said it was hoped Ball, despite his age and ill health, would receive a jail sentence from Mr Justice Wilkie. | |
"If he is fit and able to withstand prison, he should receive a custodial sentence," he said. "But certainly I think the hope is that he will have some severe punishment." | |
At least two victims who have waived their right to anonymity are expected to attend court to see the ex-bishop of Lewes and Gloucester sentenced. | |
The retired clergyman, who now lives in Langport, Somerset, last month admitted misconduct in a public office and sexual assault. | |
'Controlling monster' | |
Earlier, a Church of England vicar revealed how Ball tried to blackmail him into having sex if he was going to allow him to become ordained. | |
As a teenager, the Reverend Graham Sawyer visited the former bishop in the 1970s. | |
He said Ball tried to take off his clothes and wanted an "act of commitment" if he was to be ordained. | He said Ball tried to take off his clothes and wanted an "act of commitment" if he was to be ordained. |
Mr Sawyer said Ball was a "monster" who controlled him with a "cloak of spirituality". | Mr Sawyer said Ball was a "monster" who controlled him with a "cloak of spirituality". |
He told the BBC: "He nurtured, or probably a better word is 'groomed', me. That went on for a number of years. | |
"His behaviour towards me became more and more inappropriate." | "His behaviour towards me became more and more inappropriate." |
Mr Sawyer knew he wanted to become a Church of England priest. | Mr Sawyer knew he wanted to become a Church of England priest. |
He said: "The abuse, for want of a better word, started with very heavy suggestions that I remove my clothes and be completely naked in front of him. | He said: "The abuse, for want of a better word, started with very heavy suggestions that I remove my clothes and be completely naked in front of him. |
"That developed into him trying to take my clothes off for me. | "That developed into him trying to take my clothes off for me. |
"He kept on saying that he was waiting for a real act of commitment from me to show that I was serious about being ordained. | "He kept on saying that he was waiting for a real act of commitment from me to show that I was serious about being ordained. |
"It was very clear to me that if I did not have sex with him I would not get ordained." | "It was very clear to me that if I did not have sex with him I would not get ordained." |
During his last term at university he decided not to seek ordination at that time. | During his last term at university he decided not to seek ordination at that time. |
Mr Sawyer said: "I just found his sexual advances and his intimidation so appalling that I decided that I had to get away. | Mr Sawyer said: "I just found his sexual advances and his intimidation so appalling that I decided that I had to get away. |
"Bishop Peter Ball is a monster and should as a matter of justice be sent to jail for the rest of natural life." | "Bishop Peter Ball is a monster and should as a matter of justice be sent to jail for the rest of natural life." |