MOD settles claims in relation to Cadet Officer Terrence Matthews

Bolt Burdon Kemp have been instructed to act on behalf of a number of clients in claims for compensation in relation to sexual abuse that they suffered at the hands of Terrence Matthews during their time as Sea Cadets.

Matthews, an Area Officer of the Medway Towns Sea Cadets in Kent was convicted of sexually abusing Sea Cadets during the 1970’s and 1980’s.  The abuse by Matthews spanned a number of decades and had a devastating effect on the lives of those he abused.

Matthews, now deceased, was convicted of abusing a total of eight Sea Cadets over the course of two criminal trials, the first of which ended in in June 2017 with convictions for sexually abusing four cadets in his care.  The second trial ended in April 2019 with convictions relating to a further four cadets.  Concerns had been raised by another officer within the Sea Cadets by at least 1980 and the crimes for which Matthews was convicted spanned continued from 1973 to 1982.

To date we have secured in excess of £100,000 in compensation for our clients who were abused by Matthews and we continue to act.  Given the prolific nature of Matthews’ offending, there are likely to be other victims of Matthews who have yet to come forward.

If you were at the Sea Cadets and recall Matthews and/or have any information regarding your experiences or events you witnessed please contact Joseph Carr at Bolt Burdon Kemp at josephcarr@boltburdonkemp.co.uk or on 020 7288 4807 as you may be able to assist with ongoing cases.