A woman died without receiving compensation for injuries she suffered when she was knocked over by a fleeing shoplifter, Prime Minister Theresa May was told today.
Ann Banyard suffered a broken arm and leg injuries after she was knocked to the floor by a fleeing shoplifter outside the Sainsbury's store at the Vancouver Centre in King's Lynn in April 2015.
Alexsandrs Kukuskins, 28, fled the UK and a European Arrest Warrant was issued. Officers eventually traced him to Germany, where he was arrested and brought back to the UK.
He pleaded guilty to theft, grievous bodily harm and failing to surrender to police. He was sentenced to 30 months in jail and received an order for deportation.
MORE - shoplifter who knocked over pensioner as he fled is jailed
Mother-of-four Mrs Banyard needed surgery for her injuries. She had applied to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Agency for a payment in respect of her inuries.
But she passed away at her home in Gaywood on December 28 and her family fear the claim will now lapse. Mrs Banyard's funeral was held at Mintlyn Crematorium on Tuesday.
In Prime Minster's Questions today North West Norfolk MP Sir henry Bellingham asked Mrs May: 'Will the prime minster look at the case of my late constituent Ann Banyard who was badly injured by a fleeing shoplifter?
'She recently died partly because of these injuries at the young age of 70. Her claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has been delayed and the family fear it may lapse completely.'
Mr Bellingham asked the Prime Minister whether she will support him in this case, adding: 'And will she make it clear that the rights of victims should always be at the heart of our criminal policy?'
Mrs May offered her condolences to Mrs Banyard's family, adding: 'I know the whole house will want to join me in offering condolences to her family in this tragic case.'
But Mrs May said the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority applied its rules independently of government.
However, she said the recently appointed Justice Secretary David Gauke would meet with Mr Bellingham to discuss the case.
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