Filipinos win claim against West paedophile

FIVE Filipinos who say they were sexually abused by a West man convicted of child sex offences in England have won an historic damages claim.

The five – four men and a boy – alleged that they were abused by Douglas Slade, pictured inset, in the Philippines.

Slade, who comes from Bristol but is now in prison, was not convicted of any criminal offence in the Philippines and denies wrongdoing.

A judge has ordered Slade, 77, to pay more than £100,000 compensation in total.

Judge Mark Gargan published a ruling yesterday after analysing evidence at a recent High Court trial in London.

He said none of the five claimants could be identified in media reports.

Lawyers say it is the first time that foreign nationals have made such a claim against a Briton in a British court.

“This landmark case is unprecedented for a High Court in London, showing how the legal system in England and Wales delivers justice for victims of sexual abuse whether they live in England or overseas, “said solicitor Alan Collins, who works for law firm Hugh James and represented the five Filipinos.

“The judgment has finally provided a sense of vindication for the victims after Slade avoided justice for so many years through his lying and deception, and I’m sure this case will set a precedent for others in a similar situation to seek justice.”

Judge Gargan heard that Slade had lived in the Philippines for many years.

He returned to England three years ago and was arrested on arrival at Heathrow by police investigating allegations of child sex abuse in England during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

He was given a 24-year jail term by a judge in July 2016 at the end of a trial at Bristol Crown Court, after being convicted of abusing five boys in Britain between 1965 and 1980.

Barrister Justin Levinson, who represented the five Filipinos, told Judge Gargan that two of his clients were now 20, two were in their late teens, and one was in his mid-teens.

He said Slade had abused them in the Philippines between 2009 and 2015, when they were children.

Slade was prosecuted in the Philippines but not convicted of any offence.

Mr Levinson said his clients had suffered “personal injuries” as a result of Slade’s sexual abuse and wanted damages.

Slade denied abusing any of the five claimants and said their allegations were fabrication.