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| Crash survivor killer loses claim | Crash survivor killer loses claim |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A survivor of the 1999 Paddington rail crash who claimed the tragedy turned him into a killer has no right to claim compensation, Law Lords have ruled. | |
| Kerrie Gray, 49, of Tilbury, Essex, was detained in a psychiatric hospital after stabbing a man to death in 2001. | Kerrie Gray, 49, of Tilbury, Essex, was detained in a psychiatric hospital after stabbing a man to death in 2001. |
| The Court of Appeal ruled last year that Gray's claim for loss of earnings should not be blocked. | The Court of Appeal ruled last year that Gray's claim for loss of earnings should not be blocked. |
| But the House of Lords reversed that ruling and said the killing was a "voluntary and deliberate act". | But the House of Lords reversed that ruling and said the killing was a "voluntary and deliberate act". |
| Uncontrollable anger | Uncontrollable anger |
| Lord Hoffmann acknowledged that, but for the rail accident, Gray would not have killed, but said the post-traumatic stress disorder diminished his responsibility rather than completely extinguishing it. | Lord Hoffmann acknowledged that, but for the rail accident, Gray would not have killed, but said the post-traumatic stress disorder diminished his responsibility rather than completely extinguishing it. |
| Thames Trains avoid a claim, for future loss of earnings, by a man they have undeniably damaged Des Collins, Gray's solicitor | Thames Trains avoid a claim, for future loss of earnings, by a man they have undeniably damaged Des Collins, Gray's solicitor |
| Additional claims for an indemnity against any action which might be brought against him by the dependants of the dead pedestrian and general damages for his feelings of guilt and remorse were also ruled out. | Additional claims for an indemnity against any action which might be brought against him by the dependants of the dead pedestrian and general damages for his feelings of guilt and remorse were also ruled out. |
| Gray had been seeking £300,000 from Thames Trains and Network Rail for past and future loss of earnings. | Gray had been seeking £300,000 from Thames Trains and Network Rail for past and future loss of earnings. |
| He was said to have been "perfectly normal" and in continuous employment in administration or sales before the crash. | He was said to have been "perfectly normal" and in continuous employment in administration or sales before the crash. |
| Afterwards he underwent a significant personality change, suffering depression, anxiety and uncontrollable anger. | Afterwards he underwent a significant personality change, suffering depression, anxiety and uncontrollable anger. |
| He admitted killing 42-year-old welder John Boultwood after he wandered drunkenly in front of his car. | He admitted killing 42-year-old welder John Boultwood after he wandered drunkenly in front of his car. |
| After pleading guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility, he was ordered to be detained indefinitely at Runwell Hospital in Essex. | After pleading guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility, he was ordered to be detained indefinitely at Runwell Hospital in Essex. |
| Gray's solicitor Des Collins, from Collins Solicitors, said: "Thames Trains avoid a claim, for future loss of earnings, by a man they have undeniably damaged." | Gray's solicitor Des Collins, from Collins Solicitors, said: "Thames Trains avoid a claim, for future loss of earnings, by a man they have undeniably damaged." |