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News▼ : Welsh Assembly aiding Local Authorities in trying to cover-up possible Child Abuse Watch the Video |
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Young Victims:
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Blackburn Social Services
November 8, 2006
Melissa’s father in
court battle
A FATHER has gone to the High Court to gain the right to sue local authorities after his daughter died of a drugs overdose.
Melissa Strickson, 13, died in October 2001 after running away from home with three other girls and taking refuge at the home of self-confessed white witch Sally Corkhill, of Sudell Road, Darwen.
Her father, Victor Strickson, who has started legal action against the police and Blackburn with Darwen Council, claims the authorities failed to give them help in controlling Melissa, who ran away from home 27 times.
Victor and his wife Sue, of of Tockholes Road, Darwen, say their requests for Melissa to be placed in a children's home were denied.
Melissa had a massive overdose of coproximol tablets and was pronounced dead on arrival at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.
Corkhill, 41, was sentenced to two years in jail after pleading guilty to four abduction charges and two of administering a controlled drug.
She was cleared of manslaughter.
Her lover, Lee Harrison, 31, also of Sudell Road, received nine months on four charges of child abduction.
Mr Strickson issued proceedings in Blackburn County Court in October 2002 alleging that his daughter's death had been caused by serious failures on the part of the local police and social services.
But in March last year his claim for damages was struck out by District Judge Law, sitting at Preston County Court.
A month later, Judge Appleton refused Mr Strickson permission to appeal on the ground that his action had no prospect of success.
The judge also dismissed Mr Strickson's renewed application to appeal in July last year on the grounds that his case was not arguable.
Yesterday Stephen Knafler, appearing for the father, argued in the High Court that the county court decisions were "perverse", and that Mr Strickson was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
Mr Strickson is seeking judicial review against Preston County Court.
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