A press photographer who was severely injured by a grenade during the 2003 G8 protests has been awarded almost £40,000 in compensation.

Guy Smallman had been covering the protests in Geneva, Switzerland, for a media agency when a flash grenade was thrown at him, blowing a chunk out of his left calf the size of a tennis ball, revealing his bone.

The police stood over him and did not offer any assistance – and, nine years later, he has finally been awarded 75,000 Swiss Frances by the State of Geneva by way of compensation.

A panel of judges ruled in 2009 in his favour by a majority of 3-2 and his lawyers have been negotiating a settlement ever since.

He said it had been a “long and exhausting battle” and thanked the National Union of Journalists for their assistance throughout.

The NUJ contacted its sister union in Switzerland to find legal representation, organised protests outside the Swiss embassy in London, arranged Guy’s flight to the UK and paid his basic utility bills while he was away from its hardship fund.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet welcomed the news.

She added: “I’d like to pay tribute to Guy’s tenacity and dogged determination to secure a just outcome, which has resulted in this brilliant victory.”