A second teacher has been named in the civil law case against the London Borough of Havering Council following accusations of historic child abuse at The Royal Liberty School in Romford.
When the civil law case began back in January, former teacher Michael Quinlan who worked at the school from 1982 to 2003, was the focus of investigations.
However, the latest survivor to come forward, who does not want to be identified, has named another teacher who he says, along with Quinlan, assaulted him over a two-year period between 1986 and 1991.
This claimant known as ‘C’ along with five other former pupils including Andre Tyndall, who has waived his anonymity, are now taking legal action in the civil courts for the years of horrendous abuse they suffered at the hands of the pair.
C says the abuse happened in the PE changing rooms, often while he and his classmates were showering or getting dressed.
“Both teachers regularly abused me and the other boys in my class by touching and caressing our genitals while pleasuring themselves in the communal showers,” he explained.
“On multiple occasions when I tried not to shower, I was dragged in my PE kit, stripped naked and assaulted in front of other boys while they both laughed. They also used to summon me to the PE master’s office where I was forced to perform oral sex.
“All the abuse affected my life chances. I rebelled as I was so angry and played truant a lot. My parents were called up to school regularly and I nearly got expelled but I could not tell anyone about the abuse – I was so sure it was my fault. I could not tell my parents because it was embarrassing, and I was worried that I would not be believed.
“I always wanted to help others and although I’m now a registered nurse, I did not have the examination grades or confidence to move into this career and it took me many years to catch up on the education that I’d missed.”
Quinlan, who worked at The Royal Liberty School until 2003 when he was suspended and arrested, was found guilty in 2004 of previous sexual offences at the school and served 15 months in prison.
Eighteen years later, on 25th May 2022, he appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court charged with three counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 and two counts of indecent assault on Andre Tyndall who was aged 11 at the time of the offences.
The 73-year-old was found guilty of all the charges bar one count of indecent assault on Andre Tyndall. He received a 22-month suspended sentence and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Andrew Grove and Co Solicitors in Cambridgeshire are acting on behalf of the six survivors in the civil case. The complaints of abuse range from 1981 to 1997. They are now appealing for more survivors or witnesses of the abuse to get in touch to help with their investigations.
Solicitor Katherine Yates said: “The evidence we discovered so far reveals that the abuse was happening at the school for 16 years, and it is likely that it was going on for longer. It seemed to be common knowledge amongst the staff and students.
“These children were failed by those in authority who had a duty of care and instead took advantage of them and undoubtedly ruined many young lives.
“I know that there are many more witnesses and victims out there who experienced this terrible abuse, and I would urge anyone who attended or worked at the school with any relevant information, no matter how insignificant they think it might be, to please make contact.
“There is still time to join the civil lawsuit. We are here to get justice for all those who were assaulted at The Royal Liberty School. All claims are being funded on a no win, no fee basis so there’s no cost involved.”