£3m for being oversexed

A man who lost his sexual inhibitions after suffering a severe head injury at work has won more than £3m. Stephen Tame, 29, fell from a gantry while working in a cycle warehouse in Wickford, Essex, in January 2002.

London's High Court awarded him £3.1m, saying his sexual and behavioural problems had ended his marriage and led to him needing professional care. His former employers, Professional Cycling Marketing, contested the amount of the award but admitted liability.
Judge Michael Harris said because of Mr Tame's behaviour and two acts of infidelity, his marriage to 30-year-old Sarah had become strained.

This meant he would be without her care and would have to pay for professional support.

"This young man has been transformed, and in a sense the fact that he has some awareness makes it worse because every moment he is reminded of what he might have been but for the accident," said Judge Harris. "He has lost his marriage and probably lost the prospect of a family."

Mr Tame, whose case was brought on his behalf by the Official Solicitor, did not give evidence but his wife, who is receiving treatment for clinical depression, broke down repeatedly as she spoke of her "turmoil".

"We love each other but the love is slowly going. We love each other but it's not `in love'. I love Steve but it's turning into friendship."

Mr Tame's former employers, Professional Cycling Marketing, of Wickford Business Park had admitted liability but contested the amount of the award, arguing he would be capable of working up to 16 hours a week in the future, and his marriage might survive.

The judge said Mr Tame was disinhibited in that he said embarrassing things in the company of others, misbehaved in the presence of females and wound people up by butting in on conversations.

He watched pornographic videos and websites and rang sex-lines. He was impatient and aggressive and needed a high level of support to organise his days and live in the community.
His awareness of his inappropriate behaviour had improved and he had asked for help from his carers when feeling vulnerable to sexual behaviour.

Mr Tame's QC, Bill Braithwaite, told the court his client had recently visited a prostitute and had also had a "fling" with a 57-year-old woman.