Man awarded payout from Wakefield Council over abuse
1 May 2012 Last updated at 16:33
Man awarded payout from Wakefield Council over abuse
An independent report found the council had failed Mr CannonA man whose calls for help were ignored by a council leaving him to be abused by his adoptive father and boyfriend has been awarded £25,000 compensation.
Andy Cannon said as a youngster he was sexually and physically abused by the two men and his complaints were ignored by Wakefield Council social services.
The council has apologised and said it had since changed its procedures.
The men admitted a range of sexual offences and were each jailed for two and a half years in 2006.
Mr Cannon, 23, who has waived his right to anonymity, started a claim for compensation through his solicitor David Greenwood following the criminal case.
As part of that case, a report carried out by an independent child welfare expert found there were "failings" by the council.
'Transformed systems'
Mr Cannon said: "I just wished they listened... I wish that when I was telling them what was happening someone would have done something about."
Mr Greenwood, of Jordan's Solicitors, said: "The social work department at Wakefield Council have failed Andrew fairly seriously.
"The social worker supervising Andy failed to spot risks to him and failed to heed his complaints."
Wakefield Council said it was "very sorry about what happened to Andy".
Elaine McHale, the council's corporate director for family services, said: "We are working with Andy to make sure that in making this apology we deal with all the concerns he has raised.
"Since this happened eight years ago, we have transformed our systems and will continue to work with Andy to support him and learn from his experience."