MP backs Keith Vincent's appeal for change in compensation law
GRIMSBY MP Austin Mitchell is backing an appeal and possible change in the law after Adam Vincent's father was refused compensation following his son's murder.
Grieving Keith Vincent suffered the ordeal of a weeks-long murder trial into the death of his son, involving a drugs gang who were sentenced to a total of 129 years, as reported.
Yesterday, the Grimsby Telegraph published his first interview since the verdict, in which he gave his reaction to the challenging period – but he also revealed a new campaign.
Mr Vincent had applied to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a government body, for compensation, which he wanted to use to buy Adam a headstone.
However, despite losing a son and being subjected to the brutal details of his death during the trial, he was denied compensation, a decision made before the jury had returned a verdict.
Mr Vincent is now appealing this decision and will campaign for new legislation if the appeal is rejected, which he hopes to call "Adam's Law".
In a letter dated January 3, CICA listed Adam's previous criminal convictions as one of the reasons for refusal.
But Mr Vincent argues that you should have a "clean slate" once your prison time is served and claims his son "is being punished in death".
Mr Vincent, who is disabled and on benefits and struggled to pay for his son's funeral, also argues that he feels he has personally been "made a victim" by those who murdered Adam.
"I have a clean criminal record and have suffered at the hands of the people who murdered my son," he said.
Mr Mitchell has met Mr Vincent and is backing his cause.
He hopes the appeal will be successful and agrees the law should be changed if Mr Vincent cannot be compensated.
Mr Mitchell said: "Mr Vincent has been refused by a lower department and I am taking it up at a higher level.
"We are exploring other avenues such as appeal and hope the criminal compensation fund can help him but if not, a change in the law will be necessary.
"Mr Vincent has suffered in a terrible way but it seems his application has not been properly considered and the decision came before the verdict.
"He is a disabled man who used to be helped by his son before he was taken from him and I believe the issue needs looking at it again."
Mr Mitchell is also concerned because the department which issues the funding for victim compensation has suffered large budget cuts.
He said: "The criteria for offering compensation may have become stricter dues to a reduction in funding, which is wrong.
"It is unreasonable that Mr Vincent's claim has not been successful."
Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.
22 Comments
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by lcelady02
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 10:45AM
“supper ***** u got some thing to say to me *** see me u no who i am and yes i no who u are i dont no why u think im sick im there mother how wood u lot feel if it was ur boys how wood u be if it happen to u never say never do u want me to put ur life story on her no ,,wel leav ya comments till u see me”
by andyvincent1
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 6:58AM
“I agree the family shouldnt recive any money and what did happen to the money raised??????? Justice has been given for my brother his killers are behind bars now and that should be the end of this matter.”
by Rugrat1973
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 6:41PM
“I think support is available to people on a low income without significant savings for the purpose of burial costs? I thought that the Criminal Compensation Authority was for the victims of crime not the victims family / next of kin, might be wrong though?”
by bettinatyas
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 3:12PM
“It realy makes me so,so, angry-Re The "Criminal Compensation Authority". And the two faced way they deal with victims of crime! They are saying that this Family will not get any compensation for the death of some ones Son, Because he has a criminal Record.. Yet! if your serving time in prison and they make a claim to the Authority, they get paid out??? are people not a where they too have a criminal record to be were they are in the 1st place, This happened to my Ex, he was arested for trying to stop his son Driving his car because he had been drinking, The police arrested him, hence giving him a record, Years later he( my ex) was badly beaten up and was told by police to put a claim into the C.C.A. he did this and because of the above problem was told 2yrs on that he has a police record they wouldnt pay him any thing!!! So you tell me! were is the justice in this Country?????”
by plumduff10
Monday, January 30 2012, 12:07PM
“Please can someone get the posters to write in English? The messages from Icelady01 and super***** are completely incomprehensible!!!”
by superbitch
Monday, January 30 2012, 10:47AM
“icelady is there mother u r sick linda no matter wat vinnie did e didnt deserve that no one does ya gona b a sad lonly old women dnt no how u dare comment on here after wat ur sons and ex fella av dne 2 vinnie u all make me sick”
by lcelady02
Sunday, January 29 2012, 6:22PM
“say what u like i still stand by what i said but u all seam to go on about money why do the family think they can cash in on this ......................”
by tukes2
Saturday, January 28 2012, 4:36PM
“perhaps Mr Mitchel could put his hand in his own pocket as he's so concerned”
by Hayles121017
Saturday, January 28 2012, 4:02PM
“I tend to agree with you there Heiright I don't believe mr Vincent should be entitled to compensation, and if so, why the tax payer to foot it. I too know the vincents received donations towards a headstone so where is it? I think perhaps this is one story the vincents should have kept to themselves as public perception could change. Yes what happened was just horrific for them and Adam, but it kind of feels verdict one week, compensation appeal the next, it does make you wonder :-(”
by Heiright
Saturday, January 28 2012, 3:03PM
“Before you all start jumping down my throat! I mean no disrespect with my comments. But I know people who made donations to the vincent family for Adams funeral and headstone. And rightly so! What happend to him was pure evil! However what did the family do with the money for the headstone..... And why does the father need compensation? I believe any compensation should go to helping more kids like Adam off our streets”