A girl who was sexually assaulted on a flight to London has challenged authorities guidelines that disqualify her from a compensation scheme.
The lady, who has maintained her anonymity and is known as Kelly, was attacked whereas she slept on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Gatwick in September final 12 months.
Her attacker, Momade Jussab, of Swinfield Shut, Feltham, was arrested on arrival at Gatwick. He was 66 when he was handed a six-and-a-half-year jail sentence at Lewes Crown Court docket in Could after being discovered responsible of 1 depend of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.
Picture:
Momade Jussab. Pic: Sussex Police
Kelly, who’s in her 20s and is from London, was denied a payout via the Legal Accidents Compensation Scheme (CICS) as a result of the incident occurred on a airplane that was not registered in Britain.
The regulation agency representing Kelly, Leigh Day, has written to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood urging her to shut what it believes is a spot within the regulation.
Kelly stated: “I do not understand why I, and other victims like me, have been excluded from the CIC Scheme.
“I used to be attacked on a flight en path to the UK, I’m a UK citizen, and this crime was investigated and prosecuted by British authorities.
“I should be entitled to compensation, and being excluded from the scheme is unfair and illogical.
“I’m nonetheless struggling with the results of the assault and wish to transfer ahead with my life.”
The Civil Aviation Act was up to date in 1996 to make sure legal acts on overseas planes certain for the UK might be prosecuted in UK legal courts.
Leigh Day solicitor Claire Powell stated: “Our client suffered a horrific sexual attack on a UK-bound flight.
“She was refused compensation underneath the Legal Accidents Compensation Scheme just because it was a overseas flight and the foundations haven’t been amended consistent with the updates to the Civil Aviation Act.
“It is a gap that needs closing urgently and we trust the justice secretary will agree, particularly in light of this government’s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated: “Our thoughts remain with this victim, and we remain resolute in our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
“The foundations that the Legal Accidents Compensation Authority follows, and the values of funds for accidents, are set by Parliament.
“Other routes are available for victims to receive support.”
