A FORMER university student who had faced a ''glittering future''

because of his great talents was awarded a record #1.2m damages in the

High Court, London, yesterday for catastrophic brain damage which

wrecked his life.

The settlement sum went to Mr Martin Harrop, now 22, of Tilehurst,

Reading, whose car crash injuries completely changed his personality so

that he had extreme behavioural problems.

He is being cared for 24 hours a day by a team of skilled helpers,

headed by a psychologist and co-ordinated by his father Mr Peter Harrop

who gave up his job as managing director of a large national corporation

to do so.

Yesterday's award exceeds any previous road accident award by more

than #150,000, Martin's counsel Mr Michael Wright told the Judge.

The award was against car driver Mr Manuel Fernandez, of Woolacombe,

Devon. Liability was admitted.

Martin had been a rear seat passenger in the car which went out of

control near Barnstable, Devon, on December 27, 1985. At the time Martin

was a first-year electronics engineering student at Warwick University,

still only 18, but with four top-grade A levels.

His counsel Mr Michael Wright, QC, told the Judge that Martin had not

just been talented academically. He had been a talented musician, an

accomplished artist and an enthusiastic sportsman.

All in all, said counsel, he had been assured of a glittering career

and a rewarding life.

As well as ruining Martin's life, the accident had had a big impact on

the family, including his two brothers.

The brain injury had severely damaged his intellect, but much more

grave was the effect on his behaviour which was so bad that hospitals

and other institutions could not cope with him.