Overview

• The woman, anonymised as Kelly, was sexually assaulted while sleeping on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Gatwick in September 2024.
• Her attacker, 66-year-old Momade Jussab, was arrested on landing and in May was jailed for six and a half years at Lewes Crown Court for sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.
• The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority rejected Kelly's claim because the offence did not occur on a British-registered aircraft, which it defines as a 'relevant place.'
• Law firm Leigh Day has written to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood urging reform and is preparing a court challenge to the decision.
• The Ministry of Justice expressed sympathy, said CICA rules and payment levels are set by Parliament, and noted other routes for victim support.