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'Secret Society' battle goes on

A test case with implications for thousands of victims of criminal injuries is being closely followed by the Nottingham Evening Post as part of its series on Britain’s “secret society”.

The paper reported on Wayne Leatherland’s High Court battle for the right for information that led to his claim for compensation being rejected.

He was left epileptic and brain-damaged after being beaten up by two men in the city two years ago.

The court was told that his claim had been rejected by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on the grounds that he had started the fight. It refused to disclose evidence and witness statements on which its decision was based, saying it had a long-standing agreement with the police that such material would remian confidential.

Mr Leatherland’s lawyer, David Wolfe, said the CICA’s policy was to disclose information on the morning of the trial – which was too late to prepare a proper defence.

The authority said that to release information early would result in witnesses refusing to co-operate for fear of reprisals.

Mr Wolfe said it was common practice for witness statements to be provided to defendants ahead of criminal trials.

Judgement was deferred.

The Post ran the story with the Secret Society logo it introduced earlier this year in launching a major campaign against the “culture of secrecy growing in Britain”. For more on that story click here.

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idential.

Mr Leatherland’s lawyer, David Wolfe, said the CICA’s policy was to disclose information on the morning of the trial – which was too late to prepare a proper defence.

The authority said that to release information early would result in witnesses refusing to co-operate for fear of reprisals.

Mr Wolfe said it was common practice for witness statements to be provided to defendants ahead of criminal trials.

Judgement was deferred.

The Post ran the story with the Secret Society logo it introduced earlier this year in launching a major campaign against the “culture of secrecy growing in Britain”. For more on that story click here.

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or e-mail us now