Michael Delaney claims Dandenong police botched his application to receive Victims of Crime Compensation after he was seriously assaulted while umpiring a junior football match in August 2004. His son Matthew watched the attack from the boundary line. By Glen Atwell
AN umpire bashed during a junior football game says Dandenong police botched his crime compensation claim.
But Dandenong police say they aren’t to blame for the umpire’s rejected claim and say he lodged his application too late.
Michael Delaney, a 41-year-old father of four from Doveton, suffered serious injuries when he was assaulted while umpiring an under-nine match between Endeavour Hills and Mossgiel Park in August 2004.
One of the two men convicted of his assault, 20-year-old Endeavour Hills resident Francesco ‘Frank’ Scordo, recently had his four month jail sentence wholly suspended at a Melbourne County Court appeal hearing.
In a twist, Mr Delaney, who has battled chronic back pain since the assault, had his request for compensation from the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal rejected because paperwork was lodged too late.
Mr Delaney blamed the rejection on a police “stuff-up”.
Most applications to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) are lodged by the victim, but Mr Delaney claims Dandenong police had agreed to assist him.
“After the amount of time it has taken for all the court hearings and appeals to go through, my compensation claim was struck out because the police stuffed it up,” Mr Delaney said. “They were supposed to take care of everything, they had all my medical statements, I thought they were going to help me,” he said.
“Then I get to tribunal and I’m told that it’s too late.
“The police even came over to my house to apologise and said they had made an error of judgement. Someone has to help me. I don’t know where to turn.”
Mr Delaney said a Dandenong officer had taken charge of his compensation claim.
“I was told that the police would handle it, now it’s all fallen over and the officer has gone on holidays,” he said. “All I can do now is wait and then find out whether or not I am entitled to any compensation at all.”
Mr Delaney said he would lodge a complaint with the Office of Police Integrity.
With the financial strain taking its toll, Mr Delaney said he is considering accepting an offer from a Melbourne current affairs program for his story.
“A television network has made an offer and with this situation I’m seriously considering it,” he said.
Senior Constable Amanda Hardy said Mr Delaney had three months to lodge his application with VOCAT, but failed to do so.
“Dandenong police provided Mr Delaney with all the relevant paperwork to lodge his application,” Sen Con Hardy said. “The victim is responsible for dealing with the Victims of Crime Tribunal. It is not a police matter.”
Mr Delaney suffered severe bruising and swelling after the assault and has battled an on-going back complaint.
“I was kicked silly with steel-capped boots in the lower back. It’s taken a long time and many hospital visits to get back to a stage where I can return to work,” he said.
Mr Delaney said Scordo’s violent assault was a “low act” but welcomed the suspended sentence.
“I guess everyone deserves a second chance. He (Scordo) doesn’t deserve to go to jail. But what is disappointing is that I’m the victim, have a family and can’t get any compensation for what I’ve endured the last two years. I need help,” he said.
