Compensation For Miscarriages Of Justice
The man formerly imprisoned for the murder of Billie- Jo Jenkins has this week been refused monetary compensation for spending six years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. Originally Mr Jenkins was imprisoned for battering 13 year old Billie- Jo using a hooked metal pole in 2007.
His wife has claimed it is now, ‘virtually impossible,’ to prove that her husband did not commit the brutal murder of his foster daughter. Tina Jenkins’ comments came after Sion Jenkins claim for compensation was recently refused.
The amount of compensation he reportedly requested was 500,000 but this has been rejected by Mrs Jenkins who claimed her husband is only interested in finding the person truly responsible for the murder now.
The Ministry of Justice rejected the claim due to applicants needing to prove they are, ‘clearly innocent,’ in order to receive monetary compensation.
Mr Jenkins has maintained his innocence all the way through the trail and insisted that Billie Jo had been killed by an intruder when he was out at a diy store. Three trials later and two separate appeals later his conviction was overturned and he was freed in 2006.
Mrs Jenkins is quoted as saying that the, ‘goal posts,’ had been moved in relation to the compensation claim and that her husband was now focussing entirely on finding the true murderer of Billie-Jo.
“They know [proving innocence] can’t be done; you can never prove innocence. It used to be that you were innocent until proven guilty.”
When he was asked whether or not he thought receiving the compensation would clear his name in the general public’s opinion. He insisted that he thought it would carry no weight.
Submitting the claim in the first place has been criticised by many including the widow of Billie- Jo’s biological father.
A Sussex Police spokesperson has now said that “The murder of Billie-Jo Jenkins in 1997 remains an unresolved case and is therefore subject to review in the event of any new and compelling evidence coming to light.
“We will continue actively to pursue any viable lines of inquiry put to us, but none have emerged.
If you are seeking compensation injury claim then a no win no fee solicitor will be able to help you with each step of the process.
