Thousands of crime victims in Ulster will be denied financial compensation for their injuries if new Government proposals are endorsed, it can be revealed today.

Those who have been debilitated by crime could receive greater payouts under the new proposals, which suggest lifting the £500,000 cap on a single payment. This could lead the way to multi-million pound claims.

However, those suffering from slight injuries - such as cracked ribs, minor burns or perforated eardrums - will receive "practical" aid, such as therapy, new door locks or vouchers for cosmetic surgery to fix broken teeth etc, instead of money.

The proposals were heavily criticised today by a number of victims who believe that even a small payout of compensation is an important gesture to show their ordeal has been recognised and accused the NIO of being "inconsistent" with compensation payouts.

The Belfast Telegraph recently highlighted the plight of Belfast pensioner Lawrence Harland, (79), who was refused compensation under the current NIO scheme after he was mugged by a gang in a city centre attack, and security guard Ingram Hunter, (39), also denied compensation after he was beaten and held at gunpoint for more than an hour during an armed robbery in a factory.

In comparison to the decision on the two criminal injury claims it can be revealed today that the NIO paid out an industrial injury claim of £30,000 in July to one of its employees who fell down stairs and £15,000 last October to an employee who broke a wrist during a work sports day.

In response to a Parliamentary question, Minister of State Shaun Woodward also revealed that in October his department paid out £26,000 to a member of staff for alleged victimisation, £6,000 for an alleged breach of contract and £750 for a back injury incurred during work.

Mr Harland, left in agony with back problems after the gang jumped repeatedly on his back, said he was "sickened" by the "inconsistency." He said: "All I wanted was some money to help me pay for new back rubs to help with the pain. If these proposals are brought in there will be thousands of people ignored by the Government like me."

Former security guard Mr Hunter, who two years after the robbery is still too nervous to leave his house after dark, said: "While it is good that victims with very serious injuries may receive higher payouts, victims like myself who are left traumatised by crime are going to be ignored by the Government.

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