Criminal compensation cuts for minor offenders due to rule change
Violent crime victims are to have their criminal compensation reduced if they have previously been fined for minor offences such as speeding.
The new Government policy could see rape victims and the families of murder victims lose £1,650 from a £11,000 state compensation payout. A brain injury victim could lose up to £37,500 from a possible maximum amount of £250,000.
Until now, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority could reduce payouts in instances where “the applicant’s character as shown by his criminal convictions makes it inappropriate that a full award or any award should be made.”
However the new measures will affect anyone who has a previous minor conviction within the last five years. Up to five million British motorists could be affected, as the courts issue up to one million speeding fines a year.
Tory Shadow Justice Secretary Dominic Grieve has called the new rule change “revolting.”
“The idea that a rape victim or the parents of a murdered child should have their compensation docked for a speeding conviction years earlier is a revolting proposition,” he said.
The Conservatives believe the move is an attempt by the Labour Government to save £25m in public spending.