Boy wins compensation and fight to clear name

A London student has won a two year battle with the Metropolitan Police to remove inaccurate information about him on police records and enable him to receive criminal injury compensation. Jonathan Fromings, now 17, was injured in a fight at school two years ago, sustaining a broken eye socket and bruising.

The fight was captured on CCTV, clearly showing that Jonathan was attacked first. However, the information entered into police records said that he’d started the fight and included inaccurate details of his injuries. Despite the CCTV evidence, a teacher’s report and a medical report, Jonathan was initially denied criminal injury compensation.

However, his claim was later accepted and he has now been paid £5,720. Following a two year civil action against Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the false information about Jonathan has now been removed from Scotland Yard records.

A spokesperson for personal injury law firm, Injury Lawyers 4U, commented: ‘Criminal injury compensation awards are dealt with by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and are subject to strict criteria, such as the victim having to prove they’re blameless for the crime that resulted in the injury. This is why Jonathan’s original compensation claim was rejected. It’s good to see that he’s managed to clear his name and receive the financial award he deserves.’

Criminal injury compensation awards are made on a sliding scale, depending on the severity of the injuries, or the nature of a sexual crime. Claims can be made for all kinds of injuries, including emotional or psychological damage. Family members can also make claims on behalf of relatives who are injured or killed whilst in police custody.

To be valid, claims must relate to crimes carried out in England, Scotland or Wales within the last two years. As well as being blameless for the crime, you must also report it to the police and be able to show that you cooperated with them during their investigations.

If you think you have a valid criminal injury claim, talk to Injury Lawyers 4U. We’re a national network of experienced, specialist personal injury lawyers who work on a genuine ‘no win, no fee’ basis, so there’s nothing to lose by asking our advice. Call today on 0845 345 555 to speak to an expert legal adviser at any time of the day or night.

£50,000 Paid To Policeman Rapist’s Victims

Victims of rapist Stephen Mitchell, a police officer who preyed on vulnerable women in the north east of England, have finally been awarded compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Initially, the women were denied payouts because they had criminal records. But after widespread outrage, Northumbria Police have now paid out almost £50,000 to some of the victims, with four more claims awaiting settlement.

Stephen Mitchell was jailed for life in 2011 after Newcastle Crown Court heard that he attacked at least 16 women that he met whilst on duty. In such cases, the resulting criminal injuries claims are always dealt with by CICA, a government body regulated by the Ministry of Justice. CICA awards compensation on a sliding scale depending on the severity of the injury sustained, or the nature of a sexual offence.

To qualify for an award, victims must meet certain criteria, including being totally blameless for the crime that resulted in the injury. Despite the fact that Mitchell’s abuse had nothing to do with the victims’ own offences, these women were initially denied the compensation to which they’re entitled. Thankfully, Northumbria Police has now recognised this and has apologised ‘unreservedly’ to Mitchell’s victims as well as making financial redress.

Have you been wrongfully denied criminal injury compensation?

If so, Injury Lawyers 4U can help. As personal injury specialists, we have wide experience of advising on and pursuing all kinds of criminal injury claims. We will tell you if you have a valid case for compensation and guide you through the claims process until you receive all the compensation you deserve.

There are all kinds of criminal injury claims and you don’t have to be badly hurt to qualify for an award. The main criteria to bear in mind are that the offence that resulted in your injury took place in England, Scotland or Wales within the last two years and was reported to the police at the time. You’ll also need to show that you were blameless for the crime itself and that you cooperated with the police during their investigations.

Find out if you can claim today

Contact Injury Lawyers 4U today to discuss your criminal injury compensation claim with our expert advisers. Call us at any time of the day or night on 0845 345 4444 or complete our simple online form to request a call-back from a legal adviser.