A CATHOLIC diocese faces an £8m compensation bill after a judge ruled it liable for running a former children’s home at the centre of an abuse scandal spanning 30 years.

There are 142 alleged victims of sexual and physical abuse from St William’s Community Home, in Market Weighton, near York, who could now seek damages from the Middlesbrough Diocese.

It would result in the biggest historical abuse claim against the Catholic church in England.

Responsibility for the children’s home lies with the diocese, not a Catholic order of lay teachers, the De La Salle Brothers, Judge Simon Hawkesworth ruled at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

Middlesbrough diocese covers an area of 4,000 sq kilometres spanning Teesside, north Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire, and the cities of York and Hull.

Dr Jim Whiston, diocese company secretary, said the bishops and the trustees were very disappointed with the decision.

“We understand our legal advisors are considering an appeal and we, therefore, intend to make no further comment at this time,” he said.

The case centres around the alleged systematic abuse of boys between ten and 16 from 1960 to 1992.

The home had taken in boys referred from local authorities, mainly from Yorkshire and the North-East.

About 2,000 children and 500 staff attended the home over the 30-year period.

About 70 per cent of the claims involve sexual abuse, some alleging rape.

Although the De La Salle Brothers were in senior positions, Judge Hawkesworth found that they were not employed by the lay order and it was the diocese that had the power to appoint staff.

Brother Aidan Kilty, Provincial of the De La Salle Brothers, said: “It has always been our understanding that the De La Salle Brothers were, neither in law, nor in practice, the responsible management of St William. This has now been confirmed by the judgement of the High Court.”

David Greenwood, who is representing many of the former residents, said he was delighted for the claimants that a judgement had finally been secured.

“It has been a long battle with all the organisations responsible for the home.

“They have used every argument possible to resist the case and I am hopeful that the Middlesbrough Catholic diocese will consider settling the cases now.”