Convicted Sex Offender Gary Glitter Ordered to Pay £508,000 to Abuse Victim
Convicted sex offender Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, has been ordered by a High Court judge to pay at least £508,800 in damages to a woman he abused when she was 12 years old. The ruling comes after a legal battle highlighting the severe impact of Gadd’s actions on his victim’s life.
Background of the Case
Gadd, now 80, was convicted in 2015 for sexually abusing the claimant and two other young people between 1975 and 1980. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison but was released in February 2023 after serving half of his sentence. However, he was returned to prison six weeks later for breaching his licence conditions by allegedly viewing downloaded images of children.
High Court Ruling
In a 13-page ruling released on Tuesday, High Court judge Mrs. Justice Tipples detailed the severity of the abuse and its long-term effects on the claimant. The judge stated that the woman was entitled to damages of £508,800, with a further decision pending on adding interest to that amount. Gadd may also be responsible for covering the victim’s legal costs.
“There is no doubt that the claimant was subject to sexual abuse of the most serious kind by the defendant when she was only 12 years old and that has had a very significant adverse impact on the rest of her life,” Mrs. Justice Tipples remarked.
The compensation sum includes £381,000 for lost earnings and £7,800 for future therapy and treatment. The court heard that the abuse had rendered the claimant unable to work for decades.
Impact on the Victim
The woman’s barrister, Jonathan Metzer, described the “dramatic and terrible impact” the abuse had on her education, work, and personal relationships. Mrs. Justice Tipples noted that Gadd had failed to acknowledge the compensation claim, resulting in him losing the case by default. He also did not respond to an offer to speak to the court via a prison video link when determining the exact compensation amount.
The judge recounted how Gadd’s abuse began after he plied both the victim and her mother with champagne at a concert before separating the 12-year-old and assaulting her. The abuse led to a rapid deterioration in the girl’s behavior, causing her to drop out of school at 13.
Lifelong Mental Scarring
The mental trauma from the abuse has had lifelong repercussions for the victim. Mrs. Justice Tipples detailed the extensive psychological damage, stating, “She has great difficulty sleeping, suffered nightmares, intrusive flashbacks and memories, together with panic attacks and depression.”
The claimant’s severe distress has manifested physically as well, with the judge noting that she had ground her teeth to the point of breaking them. The judge added, “The claimant has no self-confidence and, at times, she has felt suicidal and has taken overdoses. She is plagued by thoughts of shame and self-blame, which despite an understanding of the nature of the abuse, she finds she cannot shake off.”
Compensation Breakdown
Mrs. Justice Tipples awarded nearly £8,000 to cover complex psychological therapy and treatment for the victim. Additionally, £381,000 of the damages specifically addressed the victim’s loss of earnings. The judge concluded, “I am quite satisfied that the claimant has been unable to obtain any meaningful employment throughout her life as a result of the consequences of the serious sexual abuse she suffered by the defendant at such a young age. Her education was ruined, and she has suffered severe psychiatric injury for the rest of her life.”
Ongoing Legal and Personal Repercussions
This ruling underscores the severe impact of sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims. As Gadd faces the financial consequences of his actions, the ruling serves as a reminder of the lifelong effects of such abuse and the ongoing need for support and recognition for survivors.