Andrew Kerslake at his home in Lllanharan, South Wales (Picture: Athena Pics)

An estranged wife is attempting to secure a chunk of the £175,000 compensation that her husband received for suffering sexual abuse when he was a child.

Helen Tippett, 41, has applied to claim a share of the cash as part of her divorce settlement as she separates from husband Andrew Kerslake.

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Mr Kerslake, 45, says that the compensation is ‘dirty money’ and has placed it into a trust that will be donated to a charity when he dies.

But Miss Tippett says that the cash is a marital asset, and she’s set to make legal history if the courts rule in her favour.




Mr Kerslake was continually abused between the ages of five and ten by a family friend, but finally summoned the courage to go to the police in 1998.

Helen Tippett is aiming to secure a chunk of Mr Kerslakes compensation (Picture: Athena News)

His abuser was jailed for three years, and he was paid £175,000 by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

He established the Andrew Kerslake Trust, and the fund has grown to almost £250,000.

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But he has since described his ex-wife’s pursuit of the money as ‘shameless’ and ‘immoral’.

Mr Kerslake, who walks with crutches after breaking his back, told the Daily Mail: ‘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.

‘It is shameless and immoral that she is even trying. I’m very disappointed in her.’

Bravely recalling his ordeal, he added: ‘I was abused over 500 times, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It left me with both physical and emotional damage.

Helen Tippett with new partner Jarrod Williams

‘I didn’t apply for the money. I didn’t really want it at the time. But I’m not prepared to hand it over as part of our divorce settlement.’

Mr Kerslake’s 19-year marriage ended four years ago, and he has since become estranged from his children.

Mrs Tippett is now thought to live with a man who is 11 years her junior, and claims that she needs the money to buy a house in Llanharan, South Wales.

She has refused to comment on Mr Kerslake’s claims.