07/03/98 - Go to hell
The Mirror
SEX fiend Howard Hughes, who kidnapped, raped and killed
a seven-year-old schoolgirl, has launched a £50,000
compensation claim.
Sick Hughes, 35, who snatched little Sophie Hook from
a garden tent, claims he was the victim of abuse in
a north Wales children's home.
But the move sparked outrage in the Llandudno seaside
community that was devastated by Sophie's brutal murder
in 1995.
Last night his bid was branded "disgusting".
The sadistic killer has launched the claim against
the notorious Bryn Estyn home from his prison cell at
Full Sutton jail near York.
Hughes, who used to live in Colwyn Bay and was known
locally as Mad Howard, spent some time at Bryn Estyn
as a child.
Former residents suffered sexual and physical abuse
at the hands of paedophiles, according to the Waterhouse
report released last month.
The claim is against the insurers of Clwyd County Council
who ran the home which closed in 1984. He is claiming
for "personal injury" he suffered in council
care.
Insurance giants Zurich Municipal Mutual Insurance
confirmed yesterday they had received the claim and
a Home Office spokesman said there was nothing to prevent
him making it.
But in Llandudno, where Sophie was snatched from a
tent in the garden of her uncle's home where she was
camping with her cousins, there was fury.
Mayor Alan Guinn said: "In my mind the day Howard
Hughes killed Sophie he gave away his rights.
"There is something wrong with the system when
he can make a claim. I'm disgusted he should consider
taking action.
"It was horrendous when it happened and this brings
all the memories flooding back."
Gerry Davies found Sophie's naked body while walking
his dog on the beach at Craig y Don, where a memorial
has been erected on the seafront.
He now chairs PARASOL (parents aiming to right abysmal
sex offender laws) which was set up in Llandudno after
the murder. He said : "It's disgusting - I'm lost
for words at the audacity of it."
Conwy county councillor Christine Jones, who represents
Craig y Don, said: " This brings back what was
a very sad period for Sophie's family.
"He's not going to get any sympathy around here.
He may or may not have been abused at Bryn Estyn but
it's deplorable he is behaving in this manner."
Steven Messham, Chairman of North Wales Abuse Survivors,
said: "If Howard was abused while at Bryn Estyn
then he is entitled to compensation just like anybody
else.
"But I would like to see a legal contract drawn
up where the money doesn't go to Howard, but to Sophie
Hook's family."
Yesterday Sophie's parents Chris and Julie declined to
talk at their new home in Cheshire. |
