Compensation award for schoolboy rugby injury

An East Sussex man badly injured during a school rugby match 10 years ago has won substantial damages.

Matthew Mountford, from Hove, was a 14-year-old pupil at Shoreham College, West Sussex, when he played in a rugby match at Newlands School, Seaford.

His left arm was permanently damaged when he was tackled by a 16-year-old, who had been fielded by Newlands in the under-15s match contrary to guidelines. He was awarded an undisclosed amount against the school by the Appeal Court. He had claimed damages in the region of £250,000 and the award follows a lengthy legal battle.

Matthew, now 23, suffered a shattered elbow when he was tackled by the player in 1997, who was twice his weight. Five operations to insert metal plates have left him scarred and permanently disabled: "I've got damage to my nerve down one side of my hand, and my arm is constantly cold and is pretty much numb all the time," he said.

Newlands School has refused to comment.

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