If the perpetrator of the crime is caught and convicted the Court has to consider compensation from the offender. Victims can be compensated for personal injury, losses because of theft of, or damage to property, losses because of fraud, loss of earnings while off work, medical expenses, traveling expenses, pain and suffering, loss, damage or injury caused to or by a stolen vehicle.
Compensation is payable before any fines, but is limited to what the offender can reasonably afford.
The compensation payments are made to the Court who then passes it onto the victim. It is the job of the Court to ensure that the offender pays the compensation Questions concerning the compensation ordered by the Court should be addressed to the Clerk of the Court not the offender. Victims also have a right to sue the offender in the Civil Courts, but should seek advice from a solicitor before considering this. Most firms or solicitors will offer at least half an hour of free advice and your local Scheme should be able to inform you which firms do this. Whether to sue will depend very much on the means of the offender or how any judgment can be paid.