Compensation for stolen goods??

FattyBettyBoo

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post, but I couldn't find a good fit ...

My partner had a bag stolen on a train last month. In it was a netbook, ipod, 2 passports etc, all amounting to a value of about £700 (in replacement terms). The transport police have said they believe they know who took it (a Virgin Rail employee) and that they are looking into the matter.

So, if they 'catch' the person but they no longer have the goods, upon being found guilty in court would my OH get anything back i.e. is part of the sentencing that costs are paid out to the victim? I have no idea how this all works and we're not sure whether to start replacing the items (which would be a struggle).

Thanks in advance for any help.

ILW

Do you have insurance for the goods?

Voyager2002

If the person is charged, you would have a strong claim against her/him in civil law. (The standard of evidence required is lower, so even if the police cannot prove guilt "beyond reasonable doubt", a civil court might well find liability on the same evidence.) However, all that a civil court can do is order the person to pay you, and if the money is not there then there is not much that can be done.

NeverAgain_2

If the thief is found guilty in court, the sentence could include a compensation order.

The problem is that most thieves have no money, so you are then faced with chasing a debt which is unlikely to be paid.

In this case, the thief has a job, although he soon won't, but that means he may have some money to pay.

The Crown Prosecution Service is better at looking after victims than it once was, so you should be invited to make a victim impact statement which can include a request for a compensation order.

However, these things can be overlooked, so you need to keep in touch with the police to see how the investigation is progressing.

FattyBettyBoo

Do you have insurance for the goods?

No. His stance was that he'd take the chance at being robbed by someone than definitely being robbed by an insurance company. That, hoever, may change now!

Thanks for the responses.

NeverAgain_2

Your victim impact statement should include the point about having no insurance.

Put in the statement the theft is distressing and inconvenient.

The stolen property was not insured, you are a hard-working family, but have little spare money, so it will be a struggle to replace what's been taken.

Include a request for compensation, but there's no need to say any more.