London, UK - A man who says he suffered years of abuse by a priest has been given the go-ahead to sue the Roman Catholic Church of Britain for $7.5 million in damages.
Patrick Raggett, 50, told Britain's High Court that while he was naked a priest at the Jesuit-run Preston Catholic College in Lancashire measured him, filmed him performing exercises and touched him inappropriately during the 1970s, The Times of London reported Wednesday.
Raggett says he learned through therapy that his experiences with the Rev. Michael Spencer were connected to a failed marriage, binge drinking and underachievement at work.
Counsel Robert Seabrook said psychiatrists determined Raggett exhibited many symptoms typically seen in survivors of child abuse.
Raggett attended Preston College between 1969 and 1976.
The school closed in 1978 and Spencer died nine years ago at the age of 76.
The court ruled Tuesday Raggett's case could go to a full trial.