A deputy headmaster at a former special needs school near Newark, who was convicted of the rape and sexual assault of girls at the school, is appealing against his conviction.

David Taylor, 72, from Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln, was imprisoned for 19 years and six months after a jury at Lincoln Crown Court found him guilty in July last year of three counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault on a girl and two counts of assault/ill-treatment/neglect.

The offences were committed against five girls who were pupils at Stubton Hall School at the time.

Another staff member, Raymond Longley, who was employed there from 1982 until 1997 when he retired, was also convicted of sexually abusing girls at the school and was imprisoned for four years.

Taylor, who worked at the school between 1975 and 1995, was granted permission to appeal against his conviction by a High Court judge on 29^th March 2022. The date for the appeal hearing, which will be held in public, has yet to be confirmed.

Andrew Grove and Company Solicitors in Cambridge is currently mounting a civil lawsuit against Lincolnshire County Council, which owned and ran the school, and have recently sent a letter before action to the authority which is the first stage in the civil court proceedings.

Solicitor Katherine Yates said her clients are seeking significant compensation for the sickening crimes they endured.

“What we are being told is quite horrific,” explained Katherine, “and it’s hard to believe that Taylor is appealing his conviction given his despicable crimes and the fact that he fathered a child with one of the girls who he began abusing when she was under 16.”

“Although we have started court proceedings against Lincolnshire County Council, we are still taking statements from witnesses and claimants as part of our ongoing investigations, and I’d urge anyone who was physically or sexually abused at Stubton Hall School to contact my firm.

“It doesn’t matter if you have not previously come forward to the police – we are listening, and we can help you seek the compensation you are entitled to. This money can’t erase the past, but it could help you build a better future and can be used to pay for counselling or training, for example.

“All claims are being funded by way of a No Win, No Fee agreement so financial concerns should not prevent anyone from making contact and bringing a claim.”

Clare (pseudonym) was seriously sexually abused by Taylor throughout her time at the school for vulnerable children between 1982 and 1987 and is one of the claimants seeking damages in the civil court.

“When I found out from the police about the appeal I broke down in tears,” said Clare.

“I thought it was all over and I could try and move on with my life. Now I cannot do that. A jury found Taylor guilty and he got what he deserved. I hope the appeal court sees through it.”

Katherine Yates can be contacted at Andrew Grove and Co Solicitors on 01223 367133 or 07810 224545 or by email at katherine@andrewgroveandco.com

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