“JUSTICE has been done now.

“We have had to wait a long time, but I would like them to know he has been compensated.

“They have not got away with it.”

Two years ago Great Sankey mum Kath Walker told the Warrington Guardian of her fight for justice on behalf of her son.

Aden Walker is a vulnerable adult with a learning difficulty – but he is also a champion swimmer with countless awards and medals to his name.

However, the 39-year-old’s outlook on life was altered forever after he suffered at the hands of two coaches on a trip to America with the Northwich-based swimming club Cheshire Penguins.

The British Swimming body and the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) held successful disciplinary hearings against then head coach Anne Calvert and coach Andy O’Gara in 2005 and 2006.

But as their insurers the ASA was forced to admit liability for Aden’s injuries in June last year.

Now, nearly six years after his experience, the swimmer has finally received a four-figure sum in compensation.

During the initial hearings a panel heard that Mr O’Gara had argued with Mr Walker over lights not being switched off during the stay in Florida.

Mr O’Gara admitted that he broke Mr Walker’s nose, but despite the bleeding and his distress, neither Mr O’Gara nor Miss Calvert would allow him to see a doctor or phone home.

On his return, the swimmer and his mum, the club secretary, were indefinitely suspended without explanation.

Miss Calvert was cleared of using inappropriate and intimidating language but she admitted: l Speeding while four vulnerable adults under her care were in the car l Selling counterfeit CDs, videos and DVDs to the disabled swimmers l Drinking at a ‘dry’ swimming gala l Administering medication without proper guidance Mr O’Gara denied punching Mr Walker in the nose but admitted causing the injury by restraint.

He also admitted selling illegal CDs, videos and DVDs to swimmers.

Both coaches had their suspensions lifted and were asked to carry out new training.

But the ASA was unhappy with the panel’s ruling and launched an appeal.

This time the verdict was even more damning.

Miss Calvert was found to have endangered lives with her speeding and administering non-prescribed drugs to swimmers without a first aid certificate, while the panel said Mr Walker’s broken nose should have been inspected by a qualified medic.

Mr O’Gara was indefinitely suspended from club activities.

Miss Calvert had her suspension lifted, but was ordered that if she reapplied for registration, she would have to gain her qualifications and attend equality, discrimination and disability courses in consultation with the ASA legal department.

However, according to the ASA website Cheshire Penguins is yet to re-affiliate with the governing body.

It is believed Mr O’Gara is no longer at the club, but Miss Calvert is still listed online as its club secretary.

Since the Walkers’ battle, the ASA has produced a ‘Vulnerable Adults Policy’, which has been adopted by both the ASA and British Swimming.

Kath added: “Aden said to me, ‘I've got closure now – I can find myself'’.

“I joked with him and said, ‘Were you lost?’ “He said, ‘I was lost mum. But now I can heal’.

“It brought tears to my eyes. We’ve had a lot of help from the Disability Rights Commission, Warrington social services and people here and I want everybody to know Aden will always be proud of Warrington.”