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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/16/finality-abuse-victim-pressing-new-inquest-sisters-death-attorney-general
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| 'I've got finality,' says abuse victim pressing for new inquest into sister's death | 'I've got finality,' says abuse victim pressing for new inquest into sister's death |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The attorney general has criticised claims that a six-year-old girl who drowned decades ago off an island at the centre of a child sexual abuse scandal was to blame for her own death. | The attorney general has criticised claims that a six-year-old girl who drowned decades ago off an island at the centre of a child sexual abuse scandal was to blame for her own death. |
| Theresa Biggs, whose family say she was among the children abused by a monk on Caldey Island, off Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales, died in 1977 during an excursion to the beach overseen by a nun. | Theresa Biggs, whose family say she was among the children abused by a monk on Caldey Island, off Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales, died in 1977 during an excursion to the beach overseen by a nun. |
| In January, Theresa’s sister, Joanna Biggs, asked the attorney general, Geoffrey Cox QC, to authorise the high court to consider ordering a fresh inquest because she believes that the nun, Sister Sheila Singleton, lied when she said Theresa went into the water against her instructions. | In January, Theresa’s sister, Joanna Biggs, asked the attorney general, Geoffrey Cox QC, to authorise the high court to consider ordering a fresh inquest because she believes that the nun, Sister Sheila Singleton, lied when she said Theresa went into the water against her instructions. |
| Cox said he was not authorising an application to the high court because he did not consider that there was fresh evidence that was likely to lead to different inquest findings. But in a letter to Biggs seen by the Guardian, Cox’s office took the unusual step of making clear that he did not believe Theresa should be blamed. | Cox said he was not authorising an application to the high court because he did not consider that there was fresh evidence that was likely to lead to different inquest findings. But in a letter to Biggs seen by the Guardian, Cox’s office took the unusual step of making clear that he did not believe Theresa should be blamed. |
| The letter from an official says: “He has asked me to convey that he notes there are several accounts from witnesses present on the day which contradict any insinuation that Theresa died as a result of any insubordination. The attorney felt strongly that to imply Theresa caused her own death is inappropriate.” | The letter from an official says: “He has asked me to convey that he notes there are several accounts from witnesses present on the day which contradict any insinuation that Theresa died as a result of any insubordination. The attorney felt strongly that to imply Theresa caused her own death is inappropriate.” |
| It adds that the decision not to authorise the high court action was taken with “great reluctance” and “some disappointment”. | It adds that the decision not to authorise the high court action was taken with “great reluctance” and “some disappointment”. |
| Biggs said on Monday the attorney general’s recognition that her sister was not defying authority brought to an end more than 40 years of misinformation about her death. | Biggs said on Monday the attorney general’s recognition that her sister was not defying authority brought to an end more than 40 years of misinformation about her death. |
| She said: “The attorney general has in effect cleared Theresa of being disobedient, as claimed by a nun who was looking after her. He has also acknowledged the bravery of the three boys who tried to save her. | She said: “The attorney general has in effect cleared Theresa of being disobedient, as claimed by a nun who was looking after her. He has also acknowledged the bravery of the three boys who tried to save her. |
| “This is really good. The attorney general’s office has validated my memory. By acknowledging that, he has accepted the findings aren’t right. That goes a long way to validating the truth as I know it. Putting this letter with the inquest file will achieve finality for me.” | “This is really good. The attorney general’s office has validated my memory. By acknowledging that, he has accepted the findings aren’t right. That goes a long way to validating the truth as I know it. Putting this letter with the inquest file will achieve finality for me.” |
| In December, Biggs waived her right to anonymity to describe how she and her sister were sexually abused as children by Father Thaddeus Kotik, a member of the Cistercian order of Benedictine monks who lived at Caldey Abbey on the island from 1947 until his death in 1992. | In December, Biggs waived her right to anonymity to describe how she and her sister were sexually abused as children by Father Thaddeus Kotik, a member of the Cistercian order of Benedictine monks who lived at Caldey Abbey on the island from 1947 until his death in 1992. |
| Biggs said she and her sister were abused by Kotik in the dairy on the island when they were young children. She is one of more than 20 women and one man who have come forward after the Guardian revealed the scandal. One of her main motivations in telling her story was to clear her sister’s name in relation to her death. | Biggs said she and her sister were abused by Kotik in the dairy on the island when they were young children. She is one of more than 20 women and one man who have come forward after the Guardian revealed the scandal. One of her main motivations in telling her story was to clear her sister’s name in relation to her death. |
| In July 1977 the two sisters were among a group of children at Sandtop Bay beach on Caldey under the supervision of Singleton, who was leading an educational course for Catholic children. Theresa was swept out to sea and drowned despite the efforts of three boys, aged 12, 14, and 15, to save her. | In July 1977 the two sisters were among a group of children at Sandtop Bay beach on Caldey under the supervision of Singleton, who was leading an educational course for Catholic children. Theresa was swept out to sea and drowned despite the efforts of three boys, aged 12, 14, and 15, to save her. |
| Singleton, who died in 2004, testified in a written statement that Theresa had defied her instruction not to go swimming because the water was too cold. | Singleton, who died in 2004, testified in a written statement that Theresa had defied her instruction not to go swimming because the water was too cold. |
| But the attorney general’s letter highlights that one of the boys, James Donnelly, said Singleton in fact brought Theresa to him wearing her bathing suit and orange arm bands and asked him to take the little girl into the water. | But the attorney general’s letter highlights that one of the boys, James Donnelly, said Singleton in fact brought Theresa to him wearing her bathing suit and orange arm bands and asked him to take the little girl into the water. |
| An inquest was held two days after Theresa’s death and the coroner noted the cause of death as asphyxia due to drowning. | An inquest was held two days after Theresa’s death and the coroner noted the cause of death as asphyxia due to drowning. |
| The letter from the attorney general’s office said he felt it was important to recognise the bravery of the boys who tried to save her. But he said he did not consider there was a “reasonable prospect” of the high court ordering a new inquest largely owing to the contrasting recollections and the inability to question key witnesses, including Singleton. | The letter from the attorney general’s office said he felt it was important to recognise the bravery of the boys who tried to save her. But he said he did not consider there was a “reasonable prospect” of the high court ordering a new inquest largely owing to the contrasting recollections and the inability to question key witnesses, including Singleton. |
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