The family members of a Riverina teacher who was raped and murdered on school grounds hope change will be brought about following a lawsuit.
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Stephanie Scott was kidnapped and stabbed to death by a cleaner, Vincent Stanford, who worked at the Leeton high school where Miss Scott taught.
The much-loved teacher was only 26 years old and due to marry her high school sweetheart, Aaron Leeson-Woolley, six days after she went missing in April 2015. Stanford was sentenced to life in jail.
John Potter, director at Commins Hendriks, represented the Scott family and her fiance in the civil lawsuit that was recently finalised.
"The family brought a civil action against the state of NSW who represent the Department of Education and also Colin Joss & Co who were the labour-hire company that employed Mr Stanford," he said.
"The action was in relation to her wrongful death. I am limited in what I can say by the consent judgment. All of the action has now been settled."
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Ms Scott had gone to the school to prepare lessons for a relief teacher, who was to fill in for her during her two-week honeymoon.
She was later reported missing and with little to go on other than her last known location, the detectives and strike force commenced a meticulous investigation that led them to identify the suspect and make an arrest.
Mr Potter said the family wanted to take legal proceedings so history would never repeat itself.
"The purpose for bringing the action was to try and bring about some changes to the way employers screen employees," he explained.
"Proper screening would have identified Mr Stanford as an inappropriate person to employ."
Mr Potter said it has been a difficult process for the family, but he hopes the significance of the case brings about change.
"They never want to see this sort of thing again," he said. "The family has done all it can to deal with the issues. Hopefully they can now move on."
A spokesperson for the Joss Group said they reached a consensual agreement with members of the Scott family to resolve litigation commenced by the family.
"The ultimate agreement between the family members were subject to confidentiality orders by the court and we are obliged to uphold those obligations," they said.
"Joss Group continues to extend their deepest sympathies to the family, friends and community of Stephanie Scott in relation to her tragic death."
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson said they express their deepest sympathies to Ms Scott's family.
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