Payout blow for family of tragic Grace

THE family of murdered backpacker Grace Millane will receive no compensation because she was killed outside the European Union.

Relatives of people murdered in the UK and in EU member states can apply for a payout, but there is none available to families of loved ones killed outside the EU, it has emerged.

Grace, right, was strangled in New Zealand by Jesse Kempson, 27, last December, a day before her 22nd birthday. Kempson, who stuffed her body into a suitcase and dumped it in woods outside Auckland, was found guilty of murder on Friday, following a three-week trial.

Grace’s family flew to New Zealand from their home in Wickford, Essex, both after she went missing and for Kempson’s hearing.

Labour MP Jim Cunningham had asked what the Ministry of Justice was doing “to ensure that families whose loved ones are murdered abroad have access to criminal injuries compensation”. Justice minister Wendy Morton said a review of the UK system was taking place.

She said at the moment, only families of terrorism victims who are killed outside the EU can apply for compensation through the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme.

“Whether the homicide takes place at home or abroad, we have provided up to £3.4million per annum to deliver the Homicide Service,” she said.

“A review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is under way, looking at its scope, and eligibility rules and requirements. “The recommendations of the Victims’ Commissioner in her report on the entitlements and experiences of bereaved families following homicide abroad will be considered carefully as part of this review,” Ms Morton added.