DAVID TAYLOR AND RAYMOND LONGLEY'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN LINCOLN REJECTED IN COURT OF APPEAL

In August 2022, a significant development occurred in the ongoing pursuit of justice for victims of sexual abuse at Stubton Hall School near Newark. A former deputy headteacher, David Taylor, aged 72 and residing at Brayford Wharf North in Lincoln, faced a decisive legal setback when his appeal to have his prison sentence reduced was officially dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

David Taylor had been serving a substantial prison term of 19 years and six months after being convicted at Lincoln Crown Court in July 2021. The jury found him guilty of committing three counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault against five young girls over a period spanning from 1983 to 1995. These heinous crimes took place at Stubton Hall School, a facility located near Newark, where Taylor was employed for two decades, from 1975 until 1995.

Adding to the gravity of the case, Raymond Longley, aged 87, who was also associated with the same institution, was convicted of similar offenses. Longley, who served as a member of the care team from 1982 to 1997 and was head of care during his initial two years at the school, was sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing girls during his tenure.

Despite the severity of their crimes, Taylor sought to challenge his conviction, with a High Court judge granting permission for his appeal on March 29. However, this attempt was ultimately unsuccessful. The Court of Appeal, sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice, dismissed Taylor’s appeal on August 2, reaffirming the original verdict and sentence.

One of the victims, Claire (whose name has been changed for privacy), shared her emotional response to the court’s decision. She revealed that she was sexually and physically abused by Taylor starting from the age of ten. Claire expressed relief and satisfaction with the court’s ruling, stating, “I am pleased that David Taylor’s appeal was dismissed. At the end of the day he got what he deserved, and I am glad the appeal court agreed with this. This appeal has just prolonged the torment for myself and I am sure it has for the other complainants involved with this case. Hopefully we can all try and put this behind us now.”

Legal proceedings continue beyond the criminal case. Katherine Yates, a solicitor representing victims through Andrew Grove and Company based in Cambridge, is currently pursuing a civil lawsuit against Lincolnshire County Council, which owned and operated Stubton Hall School. She expressed her disbelief that Taylor would seek to reduce his sentence, given the gravity of his crimes, including the disturbing fact that he fathered a child with one of his young victims, who was under 16 at the time of abuse.

Ms. Yates emphasized the importance of justice and closure for survivors, stating, “The dismissal of his appeal enables victims to draw a line under the criminal proceedings and focus on getting the closure and counselling that they need through the civil proceedings.” Since May 2021, the number of survivors represented by her firm has increased from 26 to 40. She also reassured potential victims that they can still seek justice and compensation, even if they have not previously come forward to the police, saying, “It doesn’t matter if you have not previously come forward to the police. We can still help you claim the compensation you are entitled to.”