Daughter r*ped by her father earns £15k settlement from police as policemen try to stop her from reporting him to authorities.
A woman raped by her father secured a compensation and apology from the police, who initially discouraged her from reporting the crime, warning she would be seen negatively.
Carol Higgins, now 55, was sexually assaulted by her father, Elliot Appleyard, when she was 13. Despite reporting him multiple times between 1984 and 2015, it wasn’t until 2019 that Appleyard, now 76, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
In 1985, Higgins claims police advised her not to press charges, stating it would ruin her reputation. Four years ago, she filed a civil suit against West Yorkshire Police for mishandling her case between 2005 and 2019. The police have now apologized for the delay in justice and compensated her £15,000.
Higgins, an author from Penistone, Barnsley, expressed relief at the apology, feeling a weight lifted from her shoulders. She appreciated the police’s acknowledgment of their mistakes, which she felt validated her long struggle.
The court heard in 2019 that Appleyard raped Higgins between 1983 and 1985. A jury swiftly found him guilty of five counts of rape and ten counts of indecent assault after a seven-day trial. The prosecution highlighted how the abuse devastated her adult life, necessitating years of counseling.
Appleyard controlled the family with violence and threats, and Higgins recounted how he made her wear his wife’s engagement ring, treating her as his spouse. She later wrote an autobiography, “Conquering the Impossible: Making the Dream Come True,” published in 2015.
Higgins approached the police in 2005 and 2012, but her case wasn’t seriously investigated until 2015, leading to a trial in 2019. As part of the settlement, West Yorkshire Police issued a formal apology and paid her £15,000.
Chief Constable John Robins of West Yorkshire Police acknowledged the delay in justice and the mishandling of her allegations, expressing deep regret for the prolonged prosecution process.
Despite the settlement, Higgins believes no amount can compensate for the 39 years of suffering and loss. She remains affected by the abuse and the absence of a father, questioning the value of such a long period of pain. Nevertheless, she feels a sense of victory for holding the police accountable.
West Yorkshire Police stated that they have learned from their mistakes and assured that measures have been taken to prevent similar failures in the future.
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