PREVIOUS motoring offences could limit your claims to compensation, says law firm Stephenson Solicitors.

Victims of violent crimes, such as assault and rape, could see their compensation reduced by 10 to 25%. This could result if they have previously been convicted of a crime under a new policy brought in by the Ministry of Justice. This includes motoring offences.

The policy has been introduced to help the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority – CICA – reduce the amount of public money it pays out. Compensation is provided to victims of crimes such as rape, assault or for the families of murder victims.

It means that people who fall victim to serious crimes could be penalised twice for motoring convictions – such as speeding and other road traffic offences. For example, a rape victim would typically receive £11,000 in compensation from CICA. This could be reduced by £1,650 if they had a previous offence such as speeding.

Julie Robertson, a motoring defence solicitor at North West law firm, Stephensons Solicitors LLP, said: “This new policy means that someone who is caught speeding, pays their fine and is then later a victim of serious crime themselves, could have their compensation reduced. This is a double blow for the victim and their families.”

In the past, payments made by CICA to victims could be reduced if their character, as shown by criminal convictions, makes it inappropriate that a full award or any should be given.

This new policy means that motoring convictions will now be included. In cases where a child is murdered, if their parents have unspent motoring convictions, their compensation could be reduced.

Motoring offences count against victim compensation