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Stagg poised for damages payout | Stagg poised for damages payout |
(10 minutes later) | |
The man cleared of murdering Rachel Nickell is in line for a compensation payout from the Home Office. | The man cleared of murdering Rachel Nickell is in line for a compensation payout from the Home Office. |
Colin Stagg, 43, has been told he is eligible under the discretionary compensation scheme, and the amount will be set by an independent assessor. | Colin Stagg, 43, has been told he is eligible under the discretionary compensation scheme, and the amount will be set by an independent assessor. |
Mr Stagg was acquitted of murdering the 23-year-old ex-model, who was stabbed to death on Wimbledon Common in 1992. | |
The Crown Prosecution Service said it was possible someone could be charged with Ms Nickell's murder in March. | |
'Honey trap' | |
A spokesperson said: "We are awaiting a third piece of evidence, which we should have towards the end of next month, at which point we will be able to review all of the evidence and make a decision as to a charge." | |
Last year a 40-year-old Broadmoor patient was questioned as part of the ongoing police inquiry. | |
Ms Nickell was walking with her two-year-old son on Wimbledon Common when a man stabbed her 49 times and then sexually assaulted her. | |
Two years later Mr Stagg was tried for murder but the case was thrown out on the grounds that police had used a "honey trap" plot to encourage him to confess. | Two years later Mr Stagg was tried for murder but the case was thrown out on the grounds that police had used a "honey trap" plot to encourage him to confess. |
Wrongful conviction | |
The Home Office confirmed that Mr Stagg, of Roehampton, south-west London, had been informed of his eligibility for the scheme. | The Home Office confirmed that Mr Stagg, of Roehampton, south-west London, had been informed of his eligibility for the scheme. |
He declined to comment on a report that the amount awarded could be up to £250,000. | He declined to comment on a report that the amount awarded could be up to £250,000. |
It is understood an application regarding the case was made early last year. | It is understood an application regarding the case was made early last year. |
A Home Office spokesman said: "As with all such cases, once eligibility has been approved, the independent assessor, Lord Brannan QC, decides on the amount payable." | |
Under the scheme payouts are made following wrongful conviction or charge "arising because of a serious default by a public authority or through exceptional circumstances such as complete exoneration". | Under the scheme payouts are made following wrongful conviction or charge "arising because of a serious default by a public authority or through exceptional circumstances such as complete exoneration". |