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Prisoner’s fraudulent personal injury claim results in extra jail term (4 April 2014)

Date: 04/04/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Prisoner’s fraudulent personal injury claim results in extra jail term

A 22-year-old prisoner serving a sentence for dealing heroin in Manchester has been convicted of fraud, after he tried to claim he had sustained head injuries after rolling off his bunk bed while in Strangeways Prison.

Callum Foster from Manchester was convicted of dealing heroin in 2013 and sentenced to three years in jail.

While in prison he launched a claim for £6,000 in personal injury compensation against the Prison Service, after alleging he had sustained head injuries after falling five feet onto the floor of his cell from his bunk bed. He told prison officers that he had slept through the incident, despite claiming to have suffered a bump on his head.

The Daily Mail reports that Foster had only been in the Category A jail for a few days when he read an advertisement in a newspaper about personal injury claims.

However, his claim was found to be fraudulent after records showed that Foster already had a bump on his head, after a nurse noted it while he was on remand for assault charges on 1 April 2013.

At the time of the fall, Foster had also not advised prison staff of his injury.

Foster denied fraud but was found guilty after a trial at Manchester Crown Court. A further nine months was added to his existing sentence as a result of his fraudulent claim.

It is thought the case may have cost £35,000 for Strangeways Prison to defend. It is estimated £13 million in compensation in paid to prisoners every year.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors offer expert advice on prisoners’ rights in jail, including person injury claims for injuries sustained as a result of another party’s negligence or injuries as a result of an unprovoked attack in prison.

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can also advise on access to services in prison – including health services and mental health services – as well as Parole Board applications and sentencing appeals.

For expert legal advice on prisoners’ rights contact Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

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