Abuse at Lower Lee Boarding School

More than a dozen former pupils of Lower Lee Boarding School in Woolton, Liverpool who were subjected to sexual and physical abuse in the 1980’s and 1990’s have begun legal action against Liverpool City Council, who ran the school.  The school closed in 2009.

Head of Care at Lower Lee, Peter Amundsen, pleaded guilty in 1999 to 53 counts of abuse against 8 boys and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.  Child care officer Thomas Curbishley was also jailed for offences against pupils at the school.  During the investigation it was revealed that Amundsen had been employed by the school despite having no qualifications and a history of mental illness. Sentencing, Judge Denis Clark told the court that Amundsen was a “sexual monster” whose behaviour was “an abomination and desecration of the innocence of young boys”.   

In 2022, Merseyside Police said it was to review its original investigation after a number of men alleged it failed to act when a pupil at Lower Lee reported Amundsen in the 1980s.  The investigation by Merseyside Police (called Operation Care) is ongoing. 

David Hawkins, a specialist in Historic Abuse law at Biscoes Solicitors said “The new legal action against Liverpool City Council by a large group of people, subjected to abuse by Amundsen shows that it is still possible to obtain justice for what happened.  Given the nature of Amundsen’s offending it is likely there are more people out there who have yet to come forward.  I would urge anyone affected by this to speak to the Police.”  We have considerable experience acting for survivors of non-recent sexual abuse cases.  If you would like to speak to one of our team in complete confidence about your legal rights, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.