Nearly two years ago I was head butted while trying to protect a neighbour from her violent boyfriend. He was convicted of assault, and I was awarded £300. The defendant paid £50 and nothing further. The court says it’s unable to trace the defendant, and they’ve more or less asked me to find out where he is. How would I go about doing this?
Your compensation is recoverable through the Magistrates Court. If the defendant fails to pay, the court issues a summons requiring the defendant to attend court again. Ultimately the court could pass the matter to bailiffs for enforcement. If you know where the defendant is, the sooner you are likely to get your money. It’s possible you will also be able to claim from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. See a solicitor immediately, since there’s a two-year time limit.