Monday, December 21, 1998 Published at 19:22 GMT
£9.2m for road crash victim
A Dutch student completely paralysed in a road accident has been awarded damages of £9.2m.
The payout is the largest personal injury award made by an English court.
Nobody else was seriously hurt in the crash in the city.
Insurers will pay award
The insurers of driver Andrew Birrell will pay the award, which includes loss of future earnings and the cost of care.
It was accepted that Mr Birrell's negligence caused the crash.
Mr Biesheuvel was not wearing a rear seatbelt but in court, Mr Justice Eady said: "I am wholly unpersuaded that I should make a finding of contributory negligence against Mr Biesheuvel."