Estranged wife fights for share of payout ex-husband got for being sexually abused
Andrew Kerslake, 45, says it would not be fair that his abuse payout could be given to his ex-wife and her new boyfriend
THE estranged wife of a man abused as a child is trying to claim a share of the £175,000 compensation he was given for his ordeal.
Andrew Kerslake, 45, was abused more than 500 times between the ages of five and 10 by a family friend.
After his abuser was jailed, he received the compensation payout - which he has put into a trust and earmarked for charity.
But his ex-wife Helen Tippett, 41, has now applied to the courts for a share of the money, reports.
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If her claim is accepted, it would be the first time sex abuse compensation has been part of a divorce settlement, his lawyers say.
The pair separated four years ago.
The Catholic father-of-four said it was "shameless" and "immoral" she was trying to claim the money.
"I was abused over 500 times, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
"I'm not prepared to hand it over as part of our divorce settlement.
"It doesn't seem right that my ex-wife should get a penny of it - it does not belong to her, she wasn't the one who was abused."
Helen did not comment when contacted by the Mail, but was twice accompanied to court by a man 11 years her junior.
Andrew, 45, believes she may be living with the new boyfriend, though she has denied this.
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