Eight men get £140k total after teacher’s ‘sex abuse’
EIGHT men allegedly abused by a former head teacher have received payouts said to total £140,000.
Jon Styler was head teacher of the Church in Wales primary school at Malpas, Newport.
He hanged himself in 2007 while being investigated by Gwent Police about an allegation of abuse against a boy.
It is feared there are many more victims, and solicitors representing several of his alleged victims have said he could have targeted around 100 boys.
Now, Newport City Council has confirmed it has agreed out-of-court settlements with eight men, with no admission of liability.
BBC News reported the settlements amounted to £140,000.
A spokesman said he could not comment further and added: “Jon Styler was appointed by Newport County Borough Council and then, as part of reorganisation, his employment was transferred to Gwent County Council. As neither of these organisations exists today, Newport City Council deals with any insurance claims.
“We can confirm settlements have been agreed in some cases but it would be inappropriate to comment further as two other cases are pending. However, we would like to stress that the allegations in relation to Mr Styler are historical and there are no links between the schools where he taught many decades ago and those schools today.
“At the time of reorganisation only personnel records for members of staff who transferred to other councils, such as Newport, were retained. We understand that all other records were destroyed.”
One man, who wants to remain anonymous, told the BBC he was violently sexually assaulted by Mr Styler as a child.
He said: “This man was a monster, he took advantage of young boys and was able to manipulate staff out of the way for his own sexual gratification.
“I endured terrible sexual attacks against me as a child – I was sexually attacked in a caravan and it was absolutely horrendous.”
He said he has given his money – tens of thousands of pounds – to relatives and they do not know where it has come from.