Payout for care home victims

Some victime's relatives were in tears at the High Court

More than 50 disabled adults who suffered "appalling" abuse at two care homes are expected to share more than £1m damages.

In a landmark legal case, a judge in London's High Court heard agreement had been reached in a civil action brought on behalf of 54 claimants against Buckinghamshire County Council.

They had all suffered abuse at two homes, operated by Longcare Ltd, for people with a learning difficulties in Stoke Poges, on the Buckinghamshire/Berkshire border in the 1980s and early 1990s.

The sums to be paid to individual claimants by the council, which made no admissions of liability, have not yet been quantified, but the total, excluding costs, is likely to exceed £1m.

Mrs Justice Hallett approved the settlement at a hearing on Monday attended by many of the victims' relatives.

'Evil' man

Some were in tears as the settlement was announced.

It is understood to be the first time people with a learning disability have been awarded compensation against a local authority in relation to institutional abuse.

Counsel for the claimants, Elizabeth Anne Gumbel QC, told the judge that the case arose out of "appalling" abuse - both physical and sexual - at Stoke Place and Stoke Green Residential Care Homes.

The homes were run by an "evil" man called Gordon Rowe who committed suicide in 1996 following allegations about his treatment of residents, including sex abuse and neglect, Ms Gumbel said.

The council has always been appalled by the allegations of abuse against vulnerable people and sympathised with the clients and their families over this tragic affair David Shakespeare, leader of Buckinghamshire County Council

If the action had gone to trial on liability, the claimants' case would have involved claims of alleged failures by the county council as a registration and inspection authority.

Following the decision, David Shakespeare, leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, said: "The council has always been appalled by the allegations of abuse against vulnerable people and sympathised with the clients and their families over this tragic affair.

'Ensure speedy action'

"I would emphasise, however, that at no time has any employee of this council faced allegations of abuse at these privately run homes.

"All allegations of abuse were made against Longcare Ltd employees or managers.

"At the time, we were responsible for inspection and registration, as well as placing some clients in the home.

"Without accepting any liability, the county council has committed to working with complainants' counsel to establish compensation, depending on the individual circumstances of each claimant.

"It is regrettable that this matter has taken so long to come to its conclusion and we will now do our best to ensure it is dealt with swiftly for the sake of all concerned."