NSW: Jury retires in strapping case

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2001
NSW: Jury retires in strapping case

SYDNEY, Feb 14 AAP - The jury in the trial of a man suing a teacher and the Trustees
of the Catholic Church over being strapped 17 years ago today retired to consider its
verdict.

Paul Hogan, 30, claims he was assaulted on March 16, 1984, by discipline master Denis
Fricot while at St Johns College, operated by the De La Salle Brothers, at Lakemba in
Sydney's south west.

He has alleged Mr Fricot struck him three times on the right hand with a leather strap
for a perceived uniform violation and then later another five times on the same hand after
sticking up for a mate.

Dr Hogan, who has a PhD in civil engineering, claims his hand was permanently damaged
after the strapping and prevented him from fulfilling his intentions to become a project
manager.

He has sued for damages, aggravated damages, loss of wage earnings and loss of future
wages, claiming the church and Mr Fricot were negligent and breached their duty of care.

The defence denies the strapping caused any damage to Dr Hogan's hand and claims he
was strapped on the second occasion after making a racial slur against Mr Fricot.

The jury of two men and two women have to decide whether Dr Hogan should be awarded
damages and if so, how much.

AAP gl/rp/mjm/br

KEYWORD: HOGAN (CARRIED EARLIER)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.