Anh James received a record $ 1.4 million in compensation after years of being sexually abused by a teacher as a teenager, leading to serious harm.

The British court said victim James was severely affected by the abuse of Andrew Adams, a gym teacher at Highgate Wood in Haringey, London, in the 1980s.

James later sued the Haringey council and Adams's manager over the losses he suffered.

An appeal against the court's ruling from the Haringey board and its insurance company was rejected earlier this year.

"Adams attacked me in the locker room at the school, the gym and in the school truck after school. He was so popular, no one questioned him," James said in his first interview on November 11.

The incident continued until James was 21 years old and it had serious consequences, preventing him from having any close relationship.

James added that he also felt extremely disappointed by the Haringey council.

James's lawyer, David McClenaghan, said he was happy that the client had bravely pursued the lawsuit.