Victims of Saint John police officer convicted of sexual assault to receive compensation

Former Saint John police officer Kenneth Estabrooks was convicted of sexually abusing children in 1999 and sentenced to prison. He died in 2005.

Victims who were sexually abused by a Saint John Police Force officer between 1953 and 1975 may now be entitled to compensation, according to a settlement in a class action lawsuit.

The lawsuit was brought to the City in 2016 by the alleged victims of Kenneth Estabrooks, a former police officer who was convicted of molesting four young people between 1957 and 1982.

As a result of the lawsuit, a settlement was reached to pay $16.5 million to the victims of Estabrooks.

The total amount of money paid for each approved claim will depend on the nature of the harm that person suffered and the total number of claims that are approved.

“You may be eligible for compensation if you suffered harm from being sexually abused by Kenneth Estabrooks in the City of Saint John between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975, while he was employed as a police officer,” read a news release on Monday.

Those who are eligible must submit a claim before April 13, 2027. Claims can also be brought on behalf of someone who passed away on or after May 16, 2024.

Estabrooks was convicted of sexually abusing children in 1999 and was sentenced to six years in prison. He died in 2005.

Claims can be made by filling out a claim form at www.saintjohnclassaction.kpmg.ca.

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