Man fears death before compensation claim is settled

Posted 08/09/2011

A man who is claiming compensation as a result of years of abuse in a Yorkshire children’s home has stated that he fears he will die before the case reaches its conclusion.

Robert Maxwell, 62, has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and has previously suffered a number of heart attacks, which he blames on the trauma of his time at St William’s Community Home, in Market Weighton, from 1961.

Mr Maxwell told local newspaper the Press he has been informed by doctors he may only have a couple of months to live.

“However I will not give up. I still have to get on with it and fight for this. It is all I can do. I want some justice,” he said, highlighting the fact four others in the case have died before a settlement had been agreed.

Some 140 men launched action against the home claiming they had been abused during their time at the church-owned facility.