Boys still waiting for abuse compensation

FIVE Filipino boys awarded compensation totalling £127,000 for the sexual abuse meted out by British paedophile Douglas Slade have so far received less than a tenth of the money.

The High Court in London ruled in December 2018 that the boys – aged between ten and 15 when Slade carried out his sickening crimes – should be paid sums ranging from £20,000 to £35,000.

Last May, their representatives in the Philippines were informed by Hugh James, the British law firm that acted for them, that it had obtained £37,000 from Slade’s assets and was passing on £10,000 to share equally among the victims. However, the remaining £27,000 has been retained by the firm, apparently to cover its fees and expenses in taking the case without charging up-front fees.

Alan Collins, the solicitor who represented the boys in the High Court, said enforcement proceedings against Slade were continuing and further comment about payments could be ‘to the detriment of the boys’.

The case against Slade, 78, came after he was deported from the Philippines and jailed in Britain in 2016 for historic sex offences in this country. He had moved to the Philippines in the 1980s and still controls a food import business that works with restaurants and hotels.

Last night, the mother of the youngest of Slade’s victims said: ‘We never wanted his money – we just wanted justice for our children. But we do still hope the boys get the compensation they were awarded.’