October 8th, 2009
A girl who was almost killed in a frenzied knife attack has been awarded over £18,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Jessica Knight, 16, had been walking through a park in Chorley when she was attacked by Kristofer Beddar, who had drunk half a bottle of whisky.
She was stabbed 25 times and her injuries were so severe that she suffered a stroke and was in a coma for over a week.
Her mother Jill Walmsley said her life has been badly affected by the attack and that she often suffers double vision.
"We don’t know what the future holds yet – whether she’ll be able to work full-time or even drive," she added.
Jessica pursued a claim through the CICA, which has now agreed to the £18,895 payout.
The CICA is part of the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in England, Scotland and Wales.
It can pay out a maximum of £250,000 to the victims of a criminal attack.
Tags: Chorley, Cica, Coma, Criminal Injuries Compensation, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, Double Vision, England Scotland, Full Time, Knife Attack, Lancashire, Ministry Of Justice, Stroke, Wales, Walmsley, Whisky
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June 15th, 2009
A woman who was hit over the head with a bottle has won compensation for her injuries.
Hayley Foster has been awarded £1,500 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
The Manchester Evening News reports how, in 2007, she was in the Fir Tree pub in Reddish with her boyfriend on Christmas Eve when a fight broke out.
Ms Foster was not involved but was struck with a bottle.
She was twice refused by CICA as police had said she was uncooperative and injured as an accident, which she denies.
Ms Foster told the newspaper: "He meant to hit someone. Unfortunately, it was an innocent bystander.
Greater Manchester Police said that Ms Foster had not been able to explain to officers how she was injured and that no victims or witnesses had reported a crime.
Ms Foster told the paper she had been in "a state of shock" when police arrived and was primarily concerned with getting to hospital, adding that the attack on her had been "no accident".
CICA is a government organisation that can give awards from £1,000 to £1,500 to innocent victims of violent crime.
Tags: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Cica, Criminal Injuries Compensation, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Fir Tree, Government Organisation, Greater Manchester Police, Innocent Bystander, Innocent Victims, Manchester Evening News, News Reports, State Of Shock, Tree Pub, Violent Crime, Woman
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June 3rd, 2009
A driver on the London Underground has been awarded compensation four years after he was caught up in the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.
Quincy Oji had been driving the train on which the Brazilian was shot dead and panicked after hearing the gunfire, This is London reports.
He ran from the train and was chased by armed officers before being instructed to lie on the ground.
Mr Oji claimed that he had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of his ordeal and that he was unable to return to work for some time.
He claimed compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which initially refused a payout, but has now agreed to pay Mr Oji damages of £1,000 for the mental suffering caused.
"I’m delighted that we finally have recognition of the trauma suffered," said Keith Norman, spokesperson for the train drivers’ union Aslef.
According to PTSD.net, people with the disorder may find it difficult to handle the stress of seeking compensation and so should seek the advice of a specialist solicitor.
Tags: Armed Officers, Charles De Menezes, Criminal Injuries Compensation, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Damages, Gunfire, Jean Charles De Menezes, London Reports, London Underground, Oji, Ordeal, Post Traumatic Stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Ptsd, Specialist Solicitor, Spokesperson, Train Drivers, Traumatic Stress Disorder, Tube Driver
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April 14th, 2009
A police officer who was badly injured when his car was rammed by an escaping thief has won the right to claim compensation.
PC Mark Tait was a passenger in a squad car that was chasing a stolen Volvo in March 2003 when it was crashed into at a junction in Wigan.
Although Mr Tait’s claim was originally denied by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which claimed that the driver being pursued was only trying to escape, he appealed and a judge has now ruled that the stolen car had been used as a weapon with a possible intention to cause harm.
Mr Justice Stadlen has ordered a new tribunal in which it will be decided how much compensation Mr Tait is to receive, although it is thought the sum will be ’substantial’.
CICA is part of the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in England, Scotland and Wales.
Tags: Chase, Cica, Criminal Injuries Compensation, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, England Scotland, Intention, Ministry Of Justice, Mr Justice, Police Officer, Policeman, Squad Car, Stolen Car, Tait, Thief, Tribunal, Volvo, Wales, Wigan, Wins
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