Student sues father for course cash

An Aberdeen man has launched a legal bid to force his father to help pay for his studies.

Andrew Cormack believes that his estranged dad Alan, a retired firefighter, should be giving him some form of maintenance on a regular basis.

The 20-year-old student has now started a civil action at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Last night he told the Press and Journal that he wants £150 a month to support him through his geography course at Aberdeen College.

Mr Cormack, of Corthan Place, Kincorth, claims his father has not been paying the agreed maintenance since moving out of the family home five years ago.

He said: “We did have an agreement, but he didn’t stick to it. The only way to sort it out is to go to court.”

Mr Cormack has spent two years doing highers at college and he will start a BSc geography course in September.

“I need money to get through college,” he said.

“I am seeking £150 a month. That is what he originally paid (in maintenance).”

Mr Cormack said the money would also help support his mother.

He has yet to hear from his father since lodging the action.

It is understood that Mr Cormack sen will argue that he cannot give his son the funding. It is also thought that he will dispute that his son needs the money, and will argue that he makes enough money of his own.

Mr Cormack sen, of Kirkburn, Inverbervie, could not be contacted for comment last night.

The civil case will be heard at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on March 12, where solicitors are likely to present and examine the bank account details for their clients.

The case is not the first time that a father and son have faced each other across a courtroom in Aberdeen.

In 2001, Aberdeen Sheriff Court ordered that Kemnay man John Rose should pay £300 each month to help fund his son, Paul, through his studies at the city’s Robert Gordon University.

During the court action, it emerged Mr Rose had sent a letter to the Child Support Agency denying Paul was his son, although he later acknowledged paternity.

Student debt in Scotland reached a record £2,227,000,000 at the end of the last financial year, according to recent figures.