Money awarded by court not received-what do we do?

[kateskeet]

Hi all
I've joined the forum as not getting any joy from anyone else & I just need a bit of advice... 3 years ago my 15 year old daughter was attacked & held at knife point by a drunk festival goer at a local pub festival in front of witnesses. When Police were called & went to arrest he attacked them too with the same knife & it was all on police cam. So pretty open & shut. My daughter wasn't hurt & came out it remarkably unscathed & was praised for her braveness in coming forward & him being arrested. He was released & pleaded not guilty. Eventually is came to crown court just a year ago (my daughter was by this time just 18) & all the witnesses turned up & he pleaded guilty. My daughter was awarded £1000 compensation. She initially received a cheque for £80 but has had nothing since. I have contacted Northampton Police liaison officer that dealt with the case but she said it is no longer anything to do with her & she was unhelpful. My daughter is now working & could do with this money-who does she contact? Why wouldn't she have automatically been given this money if it was awarded to her? Any advice greatly appreciated!

[Amethyst]

Who did she receive the initial cheque from ? I know when we received criminal compensation it was paid in instalments monthly direct to my bank, but I don't recall who the payments came from and it was over 6 years ago now so I don't have a record unfortunately, and it's not something I know much about - tagging des8 who might have an idea.

You could try asking the CICA if it was criminal injuries compensation - if nothing else they should be able to point you in the right direction to find out what's happened with it.

Contact Form: Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Claim enquiries
0300 003 3601
From outside the UK:
+44 (0)203 684 2517





If you are making an enquiry about an existing case, please use the contact form. You can contact us by phone between 08:30 and 17:00 Mondays to Fridays, except Wednesdays, which are 10:00 to 17:00. Our offices are not open to the public, and you will not be able to visit us.

[kateskeet]

Thanks for that-I've passed it on & she'll give them a call & see what they say...

[2222]

Have a look here:

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/hel...o/compensation

That suggests the compensation may be due from the attacker, but it is paid by him direct to the court (or not paid in this case, it seems). The court passes it on.

Would CICA be involved if the victim was unhurt physically?

[Amethyst]

Physical includes distress... but yes try the Court that made the award if CICA can't help.

The court has to make sure that the offender pays the compensation. If you have any questions about this, you should speak to the clerk of the court or the court manager

Our compensation was a similar level £1000 and we received £100 a month without any problem. I know it wasn't paid directly to us by the criminal, he'd plead guilty and got a suspended sentence, the amount was awarded, and he paid it to court (presumably), but I don't recall who the payment to us came from ( annoyingly - tbh it was all a little bit vague sorry )

[2222]

Physical includes distress... but yes try the Court that made the award if CICA can't help.

Our compensation was a similar level £1000 and we received £100 a month without any problem. I know it wasn't paid directly to us by the criminal, he'd plead guilty and got a suspended sentence, the amount was awarded, and he paid it to court (presumably), but I don't recall who the payment to us came from ( annoyingly - tbh it was all a little bit vague sorry )

The CICA scheme details are here.
https://assets.publishing.service.go...0108512117.pdf

It looks rather mean. For example:
Mental injury Note [2]: “Mental injury” does not include temporary mental anxiety and similar temporary conditions. A mental injury is disabling if it has a substantial adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities for the time specified (e.g. impaired work or school performance or effects on social relationships or sexual dysfunction).
Disabling mental injury, confirmed by diagnosis or prognosis of psychiatrist or clinical psychologist: - lasting 6 weeks or more up to 28 weeks A1 1,000