This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35724038

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
British Airways pays pilot Simon Wood Africa abuse victims British Airways pays pilot Simon Wood Africa abuse victims
(about 4 hours later)
British Airways has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount of money to children who were sexually abused by one of its pilots in East Africa. British Airways has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to children who were sexually abused by one of its pilots in East Africa.
Simon Wood, 54, of Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, took his own life in 2013 after he was accused of sexually assaulting children. Simon Wood, 54, from Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, took his own life in August 2013 after he was accused of sexually assaulting children.
He was hit by a train 11 days before he was due to appear in a UK court charged with abuse in Africa and the UK.He was hit by a train 11 days before he was due to appear in a UK court charged with abuse in Africa and the UK.
BA agreed to the payment but has denied liability. BA, which denies liability, called the accusations "shocking and horrifying".
'Showered with gifts' Live: British Airways recognises 'impact'
Lawyers claimed the airline is responsible because the alleged victims were assaulted by Mr Wood while he was on stopovers.Lawyers claimed the airline is responsible because the alleged victims were assaulted by Mr Wood while he was on stopovers.
A mother of two of the alleged victims, aged nine and 16, said Mr Wood took them all to the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi during stopovers in Kenya and showered her children with gifts.A mother of two of the alleged victims, aged nine and 16, said Mr Wood took them all to the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi during stopovers in Kenya and showered her children with gifts.
The woman said he would bathe her children and others and take them out. The woman said he would bathe her children and others and also take them out.
Mr Wood, who died on 18 August 2013, had been charged with one count of indecent assault of a girl under 16, two counts of making indecent photographs of a child and one count of possessing indecent images of a child. Mr Wood had been charged with one count of indecently assaulting a girl under 16, two counts of making indecent photographs of a child and one count of possessing indecent images of a child.
'Distress and suffering'
An inquest in July 2014 ruled that he had taken his own life following the accusations, which included allegations that he abused children in Africa while doing voluntary work for the airline.An inquest in July 2014 ruled that he had taken his own life following the accusations, which included allegations that he abused children in Africa while doing voluntary work for the airline.
In Africa, he allegedly molested girls between the ages of five and 13 in schools and orphanages in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between 2003 and 2013, law firm Leigh Day said in July 2014. In Africa he allegedly molested girls between the ages of five and 13 in schools and orphanages in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between 2003 and 2013, law firm Leigh Day said in July 2014.
In a statement, BA said: "The allegations against Simon Wood have been shocking and horrifying.
"Though we do not bear any legal responsibility for Simon Wood's actions, we recognise the impact they had on his victims and the distress and suffering they caused.
"This recognition is reflected in the agreement we have made with the victims' representatives."