€140k awarded to woman abused by former Presbyterian minister

A HIGH COURT jury has awarded €140,000 damages to a Co Donegal woman, after finding she was sexually assaulted as a young child over a two-year period in her own home by a former Presbyterian minister who gave her piano lessons.

The award, including aggravated and exemplary damages of €20,000, plus costs, was made to the 34-year-old mother of two against Graham Stewart, a former Presbyterian minister, now living at Milverton Green, Luton, England, and with a previous address at Bloomfield Road, Belfast.

Stewart had filed a defence denying the claims, but failed to appear in court yesterday for the action before Mr Justice Eamon de Valera and a jury. The judge said the case would proceed, as Stewart was aware it was for hearing and solicitors acting for him had been allowed come off record as they were unable to get instructions.