AA (a pseudonym) v Cooper

The parties in this case were a pseudonymous applicant, referred to as AA, and a respondent named Cooper. The applicant sought compensation under section 85B of the Sentencing Act 1991 for psychological injuries, namely Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, which were alleged to have arisen from sexual assaults committed by the respondent. The court was required to determine whether the applicant's injuries were a direct result of the assault, the extent of the psychological injury, and the appropriate amount of compensation, taking into account both the applicant's financial circumstances and the nature of the injuries.

The legal issues before the court involved the interpretation of section 85B of the Sentencing Act 1991 and its application to the specific circumstances of the case. The court had to decide whether the applicant's psychological injuries met the criteria for compensation under the statute, specifically whether they were a direct result of the assault. Additionally, the court needed to assess the extent of the psychological injury and consider the applicant's financial circumstances when determining the appropriate amount of damages. The court also had to weigh the relevance of the respondent's financial situation in its assessment of damages.

The court found that the applicant's psychological injuries were indeed a direct result of the sexual assaults committed by the respondent. The court acknowledged the severe nature of the applicant's injuries, including the diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. The court considered the applicant's financial circumstances, as well as the nature and extent of the injuries, in determining the appropriate amount of compensation. The court ordered the respondent to pay the applicant a sum of money representing past and future medical and like expenses, as well as compensation for the psychological injuries sustained.