GMB AND MP CONDEMN CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION AUTHORITY’S FOUR YEAR DELAY IN CASE OF GMB MEMBER SHOT IN 2004 DOING HIS JOB AS A SECURITY GUARD

6 August 09

MP to raise this case in the House of Commons  as an example of the protracted delay that individuals who suffer life long injuries as the victims of criminality can expect at the hands of the CICA

GMB and David Winnick, MP have condemned the appalling treatment of a G4S Security Guard and GMB member, Colin Baker, by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) who was shot undertaking his work duties in September 2004.  His case has not yet been dealt with by CICA after more than 4 years delay and CICA bosses will not respond to letters his MP.

Colin Baker was shot during a robbery in September 2004 in West Bromwich, whilst undertaking his duties working in the Cash and Valuables in Transit part of G4S.    Mr Baker sustained injuries in the shooting which have left him permanently disabled.  Despite the support his has received from his employer, Mr Baker’s injuries have limited his ability to earn and he has suffered severe financial hardship. 

In early 2005 Mr Baker’s case was referred to the CICA.  For years Mr Baker’s case has been stuck in the CICA’s internal bureaucracy.  In December 2008, Mr Baker was assured that a resolution was imminent.  He has had no explanation for the further delays in dealing with his claim. On 18^th May 2009, he was again told that his case would be dealt with in the next four to six weeks.  After the intervention of David Winnick, MP, on the 23^rd June the CICA assured Mr Baker that they would get back to him in two weeks with the outcome of the case.  Mr Baker is still waiting to hear from the CICA, despite further representations from the National Union and David Winnick, MP.

David Winnick, who in Mr Bakers MP, has again written to the Chief Executive of the CICA, Carol Oatway, condemning the handling of Mr Baker’s case.  David Winnick, who had an adjournment debate on delays in compensating those involved in the 7/7 bombings,  has now threatened to raise this case in the House of Commons,  as an example of the protracted delay that individuals who suffer life long injuries as the victims of criminality can expect at the hands of the CICA. David Winnick, MP, is also irate that Ms Oatway has seen fit to not to respond directly to his previous letters, when a Government Minister would be expected to.

 Mr Winnick said “the treatment of Mr Baker is appalling.  The standards of service offered by the CICA to victims of criminality, such as Mr Baker, does, to say the least, leave a lot to be desired.  I am doing all I can to support Mr Baker and along with the Union I am thinking of making direct representations to the Minister on the performance of the CICA and to the House of Commons after the recess.”

Gary Smith, GMB National Secretary said “It is utterly shameful that Ms Oatway and her colleagues at the CICA can treat an ordinary working person, who was shot in the course of their duties, with such contempt.  Despite suffering life changing injuries and being left with a permanent disability, the CICA seem to think it is appropriate to leave Mr Baker stuck in what can only be described as a Kafkaesque bureaucracy.”

Martin Hird, Senior Organiser for the GMB in the West Midlands said “We welcome David Winnick, MP’s, input.  It is a bitter irony that Mr Baker was involved in the campaign to highlight the violence being used in robberies on Cash and Valuables in Transit Security Staff in the West Midlands prior to him being brutally gunned down.   The thugs responsible may never get to see the reality of the damage they inflict, however the CICA should have experience of dealing with victims of crime who have been left seriously disabled.  The behaviour of the CICA is disgraceful and the GMB in the West Midlands and at National level will be doing all we can to secure a just outcome for Mr Baker.”

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