A MAN who was sexually abused by a mental health nurse more than three decades ago is suing Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

Joseph Duncalf, now 49, suffered abuse as a teenager at Highlands Adolescent Unit, run by Airedale General Hospital, while on a week-long trip to a hostel near Whitby with the unit.

In March, former mental health worker Norman Bevitt, 69, of Eastwood Court, Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of nine charges of indecent assault during his time at the Highlands Adolescent Unit.

Mr Duncalf said memories of the abuse had haunted him throughout his life and after the trip to Whitby in 1981, he felt like "he wanted to die".

"The abuse I suffered will have a lifelong impact on me and I continue to suffer as a result of what I went through more than 30 years ago.

"Norman Bevitt’s conviction is a very important step for me and I feel like my voice has finally been heard and that people believe what I went through.

"I hope that by speaking out others who have suffered abuse from people in a position of trust will feel they can come forward and that it is possible to see justice done.

"Nothing will change what I went through, but following the conviction I can now begin to look forward and begin to make progress with my life."

During the trial it was said that Mr Duncalf'’s memories of the abuse were brought vividly back to life when Bevitt contacted him through Friends Reunited.

Now, lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have begun legal action against the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

Expert child abuse lawyer Raman Dhillon said: "Joseph has been extremely courageous to speak out about the abuse he suffered to try to inspire others who may be suffering in silence to seek the help they need."

Medical director for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Karl Mainprize said the organisation was "very sorry" for the suffering Mr Duncalf experienced.

"We are aware of this incident which happened over 30 years ago when Joseph was an inpatient at an adolescent unit in Burley-in-Wharfedale, which was run by Airedale Hospital at the time. The Trust has recently reviewed all its policies and procedures around the treatment of people in light of the Saville Report," he added.

"We are a caring and learning organisation that prioritises the protection of our patients as paramount."