A shocking incident occurred on a Qatar Airways flight bound for London: a woman was sexually assaulted while she slept. The assailant, who was arrested upon arrival at Gatwick and sentenced to over six years in prison, left the victim, known as Kelly, reeling from the attack. Kelly, a UK citizen in her 20s, is now challenging Government rules that deny her compensation. Why? Because the assault happened on a foreign-registered plane.
Law firm Leigh Day is backing Kelly, calling on Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to address this “gap in the law.” They argue that since the crime was investigated and prosecuted in the UK, Kelly should be eligible for compensation. The Civil Aviation Act was updated in 1996, enabling UK prosecution for crimes on foreign planes headed to the UK. Despite this, the Criminal Injuries Compensation (CIC) Scheme hasn’t adapted its rules to reflect these changes.
Kelly says exclusion from the scheme feels both unfair and illogical given her circumstances. She is still coming to terms with the incident and seeks justice and rightful compensation to help her move forward.
Leigh Day solicitor Claire Powell emphasised the urgency of rectifying these outdated rules, especially with the Government’s ongoing pledge to combat violence against women and girls.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson expressed sympathy for Kelly, highlighting the Government’s commitment to reducing violence. However, they noted that current compensation rules are set by Parliament, pointing to other available support avenues for victims.
This case raises important questions about the justice system and the support available for victims of crime, especially those involving international travel. Shouldn’t victims like Kelly receive the support they deserve?