Abuser fails over £0.5m divorce deal

An art historian and author today failed to win a £500,000 divorce settlement from his wealthy former wife whose grandchildren he sexually abused.

High Court judge Mr Justice Moylan said the "circumstances of this case are such that it would be inequitable for the wife to make any financial provision for the husband".

He said the former husband's conduct and a post-nuptial agreement where the man agreed not to make any claims made it unfair to make any award.

None of the parties can be named to protect the victims of the man who is serving a minimum of four-and-a-half years in jail as part of an indeterminate sentence for 17 offences of child abuse.

He was led into court in handcuffs by three prison security men.

His ex-wife, who said her life had been devastated by her husband of 25 years, watched proceedings via a video link because, the judge said, she cannot bear to be in the same room as him.